Fearless predictions by Priest “Tiger” Smalls
It's quite an asset to have Julio Cesar Chavez (107-6-2, 86 KO's), the boxing legend, in your corner. Over his career, Jr's dad, now 47 years-old, won six world titles.
“This is the first of what I hope will be a long run of weekend predictions that are right on the money,” so says Priest “Tiger” Smalls, the former WBO NABO featherweight title holder. “The Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (40-0-1, 30 KO’s) versus John Duddy (29-1-0, 18 KO’s) fight this weekend is really a no-brainer. Chavez Jr. will be the victor, regardless of the reports you’ve been hearing about how tough this Irishman is. Those who like Duddy say he’s the bigger of the two and usually fights at 160 pounds while Chavez fights at 154-156. But you have to remember that Chavez at 24 years of age and 6 foot tall has a body that’s still developing. Duddy, who is now 31, has that one loss to Billy Lyell (18-7) and hasn’t really fought the stiff competition that Chavez has in his 41 fights. So my take is roll with Chavez.”
Interesting facts for those who want to back John Duddy: His wife’s name is Grainne and he’s from Derry. He’s the nephew of John “Jackie” Duddy who was murdered in Derry by the British Army during the infamous Bloody Sunday massacre of 1972. His nickname is “The Derry Destroyer” and as an amateur he did win 100 out of 130 bouts, winning his first title at the early age of 15 in the jr. middleweight division and went on to take the same title at the intermediate and senior levels. He represented Ireland at both the European and Olympic qualifying matches.
Despite his early prominence in Great Britain and Ireland, it is said he always wanted to turn professional in America and when Eddie McLoughlin of Irish Ropes called and offered him an opportunity to train at Gleason’s Gym in New York City, he jumped at the chance. He knew it was the breeding ground for great boxers and felt with their help he could develop into a champion.
One of Duddy’s most famous bouts came against Yori Boy Campas at Madison Square Garden, an opponent with ten times the amount of pro experience. Duddy went the distance and won a unanimous decision. He is the former IBA World and WBC Continental Americas middleweight title holder. In his most recent match, he defeated Michael Medina of Monterrey, Mexico via split decision on March 13, 2010, on the undercard of that big extravaganza, the Pacquaio/Clottey WBO Welterweight Championship bout, that was fought inside the Dallas Cowboy’s new stadium.
