Duddy to move closer to title shot

However, that step may prove to be the toughest yet for the City's middleweight hopeful as he will face the unbeaten Julio Cesar Chavez Jr at the 15,000 seater Alamodome on June 26.

Duddy will have surpassed the 30-year-old mark by the time this bout comes round and it really may be a case of facing his Alamo should he fail to overcome the tough Mexican.

However, the incentive to win for Duddy could hardly be greater as the victor would surely claim a coveted crack at reigning champion, Kelly Pavlik.

Duddy's last forray into the ring in March saw him claim a split decision win against Michael Medina at the Dallas Cowboys stadium. In truth, the decision belied a strong performance from a resurgent Duddy and smacked somewhat of a 'hometown decision'.

Chavez is around seven years Duddy's junior. He was born in 1986 when his father, the legendary Julio Chavez Junior was WBC Junior Lightweight Champion.

Chavez Junior has fought 42 times, won 41 of the bouts-30 of those by knockout and has one draw to his name. He last fought in November, but was then banned for seven months for testing positive for a diurectic that often serves as a masking agent.

Despite his public fallout with his management team and a downgrade in profile since then, it should not be forgotten that Duddy has still registered just one defeat in a 30 bout professional career and 18 of those 29 victories have come via knockouts.