Derry middleweight John Duddy will face  fellow Irish opponent Andy Lee in the ring on 12 March in the US, with the winner likely to land a world title shot.

The fight, which will be held in the Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket Connecticut, offers Duddy, 31, an welcome route back to world title contention after his resounding defeat by Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr in June.

The eventual winner of the bout in Mashantucket could earn a world title bout against WBC champion Sergio Martinez, which must be focusing Duddy's mind. Duddy has suffered just two defeats in his 31-fight career.

Duddy's Limerick opponent Lee has lost just one of his 25 fights and is likely to go into the March bout as the favorite to win.

Both Irish fighters have devoted followings among the Irish-American community and a large turn out is expected to be in attendance at the Foxwoods Casino venue.