Duddy bombs out Eastman

John Duddy maintained his unbeaten record with a narrow points win over Howard Eastman.

John Duddy edged closer to a tilt at a world title with a narrow points win over one-time challenger Howard Eastman. The Derry man took his record to 23-0 with a 96-94 victory, spoiling both the Battersea Bomber's 37th birthday and chances of kick-starting a career that has twice seen him fight for world belts. The 10-rounder was fought at a decent pace and both fighters felt they had won come the final bell. But it was Duddy, now based in New York, who got the verdict and can thank a fast start. He set the tone for the right with a blistering opening, taking the opening three sessions as veteran Eastman struggled to get into any kind of rhythm. His experience kept him in contention though and by the halfway point the Londoner was right back in contention, finding Duddy regularly and catching him with several solid shots. Duddy has been criticised as being too easy to hit, but the 28-year-old showed there are no doubts about his chin, riding the storm before finishing strongly down the stretch. His energy levels were also impressive and as both fighters pressed for the win in the final stages, it was the younger man who got the better of the exchanges, which proved enough to maintain his unbeaten record.