Duddy really needs to slow things down and continue learning. Especially now that he is working with Burns. Howe should be an easy W and then Duddy should look to a fight with a more veteran journeyman to continue his development wth Burns. Someone who mirrors Smichet so he can prove that was just a fluke. There is no need to throw him to the lions this year. Otherwise, you are just cashing the kid in. Look to the start of 2009 to face Pavlik or take a shot at whoever is sitting on the throne at that time. He'll stilll sell lots of tickets this year and keep Irish Ropes afloat. Set the kid up for success, not failure.
In my opinion Duddy does not need a guy who lost to Joey Gilbert and K-9. I really ripped on the Irish guys over Smichet, but the truth is that fight was a fluke. Duddy was looking so far past Smichet he couldn't even see him. He even used Ross Thompson as a sparring partner because Thompson went the distance with Pavlik! At this point John needs a legit opponent. Personally I'd like to see him beat 7 shades of **** out of Giovanni Lorenzo.
Lorenzo's last 6 opponents had 55 losses!!! John Duddy would show him what it's like to fight a winner!