Maspeth middleweight to watch

Around this time last year, James Moore split ways with Irish Ropes Promotions. Although his neighbor, good friend and former Olympic teammate in Ireland, John Duddy, was - and still is - fighting under that management umbrella, it’s a decision Moore has not regretted.
The organization couldn’t adequately push both Irishmen who live next to one another in Maspeth. Furthermore, since Duddy arrived in America first, back in 2003, Moore was essentially following in Duddy’s footsteps instead of creating his own name.
Moore, who improved to 11-0 with 8 KOs last week with a unanimous six-round decision over Angel David Gonzalez, would fight on the undercard of many of Duddy’s fights, and was routinely overlooked as a result.
“James Moore is a very talented pro fighter who doesn’t deserve to be treated second to anyone,” Irish Ropes Director of Boxing Jim Borzell said at the time. “Irish Ropes had to make a business decision that forced them into either reducing budgets for John Duddy or releasing James Moore.”
As Duddy’s popularity has skyrocketed, landing him the WBC Continental Americas Middleweight and IBA Middleweight titles, Moore joined up with manager Brian Burke and still struggles to draw reputable opponents. Because of his punching power - another similarity to Duddy - the 29-year-old from Arklow, County Wicklow, Ireland often scares off would-be challengers.
For this fight, for instance, he didn’t have an opponent until the previous Sunday, just three days before the scheduled card. When friends called him, Moore hesitated inviting them to the fight without knowing his opposition. He hopes this display of boxing will give him a better chance moving forward.
“I’m glad to get the rounds,” he said. “It looks good on the record, too, because when you have so many knockouts, people don’t really want to fight ‘ya. Maybe after seeing this fight I might get some more fights.”
He still works out with Duddy and is trained by Harry Keitt. He’s carving out his own niche, though. Not that he needs to.
“He’s been to the height of the amateur division,” Duddy said. Before turning pro, Moore fought close to 350 times on the amateur circuit, was ranked as high as third in the world, and represented Ireland countless times in senior international competition in addition to winning a bronze medal at the 2001 World Amateur Boxing Championships. “If he had been here first, it would be the same story for him. I was just the first to come here.”
In the co-main event of a Broadway Boxing card, Moore may not have drawn a crowd of Duddy-esque proportions, but there were several Irishman, including Duddy, wearing Moore t-shirts in the crowd. “Everyone here tonight got to see me,” Moore said afterward. “If John was fighting, they’d be here to see John.”
Although they’ve gone their somewhat different ways, nothing much has changed about their relationship. “He’s probably one of the best people I’ve ever met,” Duddy said. “Boxing is a lonely sport and it’s good to have someone there with you. … We’re like family. Whenever we finish fighting, we go out drinking.”