John Duddy set to fight Andy Lee in all-Irish battle

John Duddy has lost two of his 31 career bouts

Derry middleweight John Duddy will face Andy Lee in an all-Irish battle on 12 March in the US with the winner likely to land a world title shot.

The fight in Connecticut offers Duddy, 31, an unexpected route back to world title contention after his defeat by Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr in June.

The winner of the bout in Mashantucket could then earn a world title bout against WBC champion Sergio Martinez.

Duddy has suffered two defeats in his 31-fight career.

Limerick man Lee has lost one of his 25 fights and is likely to go into the bout as favourite.

Both fighters have a big following among the Irish-American community and a large crowd is likely to be in attendance at the Foxwoods Casino venue in Mashantucket.

The bout is scheduled to be on the undercard of Martinez's WBC title defence against Sergei Dzinziruk.