Duddy back in US for next fight

John Duddy will now fight American Matt Vanda

Despite a sell-out success at the King's Hall in Belfast on Saturday John Duddy will revert to the United States for his next fight on 2 February.

Duddy will face American Matt Vanda in the main supporting act to the WBC world heavyweight title fight between Oleg Maskaev and Samuel Peter.

"The venue will either be Connecticut, Newark or Atlantic City," said Duddy's manager Eddie McLoughlin.

"But after a night like Saturday we want to come back to Belfast."

Duddy claimed the biggest scalp of his career by out-pointing former European middleweight champion Howard Eastman 96-94 after 10 hard-paced rounds in Belfast.

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"I thought John moved up a level because we knew that Howard Eastman was going to test him and he did and John came through it very well.

"There has been a lot of talk about a world title fight and that will come.

"Our plan was always to have it in 2008 and we are on track but he needs a couple more wins."

While Duddy moves ever closer to a major fight, Eastman now faces up to back-to-back defeats, having lost a British title clash with Wayne Elcock prior to Saturday night's loss, which he strongly disputed.

Former European champion Eastman said: "Mr Duddy fought a good fight, he fought an intelligent fight.

"My experience gave me the fight but he got the decision in his home yard. I just feel gutted.

"In the boxing game people want the judges to be fair and I don't think the judges were fair towards Howard Eastman.

"Mr Duddy did what he was supposed to do and I respect him as a fighter, the decision was nothing to do with him. I wish him all the best."