May 18 at the Beacon Theatre in Manhattan

NEW YORK CITY (May 9, 2007) – Unbeaten middleweight sensation “Ireland’s” John Duddy headlines “Tomorrow’s Champions” in the 10-round main event against Dupre “Total Package” Strickland (18-1-1, 7 KOs) on May 18th at the famed Beacon Theatre in Manhattan.

The Northern Ireland born Duddy (19-0, 15 KOs), now living in Queens (NYC), is the reigning IBA World and WBC Continental Americas middleweight champion. He has been training at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn for what is scheduled to be his last fight in the United States before heading to Ireland for two proposed bouts there this summer. The 27-year-old Duddy is rated No. 8 by the WBO, No. 9 by the WBA and No. 13 by the IBF.

“I’m not saying goodbye,” Duddy noted about leaving the Big Apple for Ireland, “just see you later. I’m going home to do something I’ve always wanted to do and that’s box in Ireland as a professional. Everything has been going great for my May 18 fight. It’s all business as usual and I can’t wait to fight again. I want to leave New York City on a high note with fans looking forward for me fighting there again after the summer.”

Polish power puncher Pawel “Raging Bull” Wolak (14-0, 9 KOs), now fighting out of Brooklyn, tangles with Anthony Little (7-6, 1 KO) in the eight-round co-feature on “Tomorrow’s Champions,” presented by Irish Ropes Promotions.

Also scheduled to fight on the card is popular Brooklyn middleweight Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (10-0, 9 KOs) against TBA; 2004 Irish National Senior amateur champion Henry Coyle (1-0, 1 KO), from County Mayo in Ireland, faces TBA; WBA top rated lightweight Maureen “The Real Million Dollar Baby” Shea (10-0, 5 KOs), from the Bronx, fights former WIBA title challenger Lakeysha “The Total Package” Williams (9-9-3, 1 KO); super flyweight Eileen Olszewski (2-0, 0 KOs) takes on Kimberly Tomes (0-2); light heavyweight Denys Lozado (4-1), of Nanuet (NY), meets Steve Marcantonio (2-3, 1 KO), of Rahway (NJ); Queens super featherweight Carlos Macias (3-0) squares off TBA; Chicago cruiserweight Thomas Kurzylowski (1-0) faces Robert Evans (0-2). All bouts fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, ranging between $75.00 and $300.00, are now on sale by calling Irish Ropes Promotions at 212.835.1582 or TicketMaster at 212.307.7171. All tickets include a $4.00 facility fee and TicketMaster purchases are subject to TicketMaster service fees.

For more information about the May 18th show call Irish Ropes Promotions or go on line to www.irishropes.com.