By Thomas Hauser, Contributor
Middleweight champion John Duddy on hanging up his gloves.
In 2011, John Duddy retired from boxing. Living in New York, the popular Derry native had compiled a 29-and-2 record with 18 knockouts. He’d experienced the thrill of fighting before cheering crowds in Madison Square Garden and also in his beloved Ireland.
Now, at age 35, Duddy is pursuing a new career. He wants to be an actor.
There is a long tradition of boxers trying their hand at acting. In the 1880s, John L. Sullivan realized that, as heavyweight champion, he could make large amounts of money by appearing on stage in vaudeville and legitimate theatrical productions. James Corbett defeated Sullivan in 1892 and immediately embarked upon a theatrical career that was noteworthy for its longevity and success. Corbett began in vaudeville, made numerous forays into legitimate theater, and worked hard to develop his craft. Late in life, he appeared in feature films.