Boxing: John Duddy set his sights on a bumper night at the King's Hall on December 8th before any world title attempt, after his demolition of 19-year-old Prince Arron at the National Stadium on Saturday night.

After one of the easiest bouts of his 22-fight career, at least one more outing would make sense ahead of likely tilt at Kelly Pavlik's WBO/WBC middleweight title sometime in the Spring.

More gym time with veteran Don Turner would also be in order, according the former trainer of Larry Holmes and Evander Holyfield. "He's just a little over-anxious at times because all of this is new to him but in time he'll be alright," said Turner, a former sparring partner of Sugar Ray Robinson.

Duddy still has a propensity to take too many shots. He had to take a few punches from the 6ft 3ins Arron as he stepped inside the youngster's 5ins reach advantage to land combinations to the body and head resulting in a second-round stoppage. Arron took an eight-count late in the first round after dropping to the canvas following quick lefts. A left hook completed the job.

There was more of the same in the second as Duddy softened up his opponent with body shots in the clinches. With 50 seconds to go, a combination to the stomach lowered the Manchester teen's defences and a right-hook follow-up swept Arron off his feet. Twenty-three seconds later, a couple of left jabs and a left hook that was little more than a slap ended it as referee Emile Tiedt ended the mismatch.

Arron took the fight at less than a week's notice, after Noe Tulio Gonzalez Alcoba withdrew due to a detached retina.

And as for Pavlik, or perhaps the man he defeated Jermain Taylor? Duddy's team welcomed invitations safe in the knowledge that in the handsome, New York-based fighter, they have a real box-office draw and can bide their time. "Of all the fighters in the world, John has more options open than anyone else," promoter Brian Peters said.

World welterweight champion Ricky Hatton was in the corner twice at the National Stadium. He saw his younger brother, Matthew, stop the Finn, Samuli Leppiaho, after six rounds. He also advised stablemate Matthew Macklin, who suffered a cut eye before stopping Duddy's previous opponent Italian Alessio Furlan in the eighth. There were also wins for Stephen Haughian, Paul McCloskey and a debut win for Mayo cruiserweight Michael Sweeney.

Confirmation of Duddy's Belfast date is expected this week.