Boxing:Irish middleweight John Duddy has been pencilled in to meet Walid Smitchet on the Wladimir Klitschko/Sultan Ibragimov undercard at Madison Square Garden on February 23rd.

The Derry man, unbeaten after 23 pro fights, will make his first appearance at the Garden since last May against the Canadian, who has won 17, drawn three and lost three.

The Tunisia-born, Quebec-based puncher's most notable victory arrived last March after he knocked out compatriot Matt O'Brien in the 10th round to claim the Canadian Interim middleweight title.

New York-based Duddy, meanwhile, is being lined up for a tilt at a world title this year.

Duddy's fellow Irish middleweight Andy Lee has being helping Klitschko prepare for his clash with Ibragimov at West Palm beach in Florida.

Lee is due to fight in his hometown at the University of Limerick on February 2nd against an opponent to be named. Tickets for the fight sold out within hours of going on sale.

Meanwhile, Cuban heavyweight Mike "El Rebellio" Perez has signed a pro deal with Nowhere to Hide promotions in Cork.

The former world amateur champion was hotly tipped in Cuba to win a gold medal at this year's Beijing Olympics, but instead opted to turn pro.

Perez could make his pro debut at the Neptune Stadium in Cork on January 26th on the undercard to the Billy Walsh/James Gorman clash.