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Dublin’s Paul Hyland will be out to cement his position as the Number 1 challenger for the European Super Bantamweight title when he takes on European rated Andrey Bogdanov at the University Arena in Limerick on November 6th on the Hunky Dorys Fight Night: Big Bang Theory.
Having recently been confirmed as the mandatory challenger for the European Super Bantamweight title Hyland’s bout should prove to be the final hurdle ahead of shot at the winner of the main event in Limerick as Bernard Dunne’s conqueror Kiko “La Sensacion” Martinez defends his European crown against Limerick’s own Willie “Big Bang” Casey.
However Hyland knows he can’t afford to spend too much time thinking about fighting the winner until he gets past touted Russian prospect and European number 13, Bogdanov in Limerick. “I’ve watched him in action and he’s going to be a very tough opponent,” said Hyland.
“I know if I box the way I can though then I won’t have any problems with him. He’s rated in Europe and has just one defeat from his 14 fights so I certainly won’t be looking past him.
“I’m sure he will see me as a big scalp because I’m the mandatory now for the European title and if he beat me he would inherit that position so it’s a huge chance for him but my training camp has gone perfectly for this fight. I’ve been sparring lots of hard rounds and I’m really focused on putting on a big performance in Limerick.”
Hyland hasn’t had to look too far for some of those hard spars with older brother and fellow European title contender Patrick proving stiff opposition. Featherweight Patrick is also closing in on a European title shot and faces the European rated, Massimo Morra in Castlebar on November 20th on another Hunky Dorys Fight Night so the brothers have been helping each other with their preparations.
“The spars used to get hot and heavy between us before,” revealed Paul. “Our Dad would have to jump in and tell us to calm down but we’ve matured a lot and now when we spar we try to learn from each other instead of trying to take each others heads off and letting the big brother, little brother thing get in the way. Patrick’s a weight above me and he’s very heavy handed so you always have to be careful in there with him but they are always great spars.”
Both brothers hope to be bringing European title belts back to Tallaght early next year and it’s an exciting prospect for the family. “It would be a dream come true for myself and Patrick to fight for European titles and we’re both very close to that right now,” said Hyland. “Imagine if it was on the same bill, what a night that would be, not just for us but for Irish boxing in general to have two Irish guys and brothers as well challenging for European titles on the same night.”
Ireland has a strong tradition in the Super Bantamweight division with Bernard Dunne having won his World title in the 8 stone 10 pound weight class while Wayne McCullough contested the World Super Bantamweight title on four occasions and promoter Brian Peters believes that tradition is set to continue.
“What a night for the Super Bantamweight’s on November 6th,” said Peters. “You have the European Champion Kiko Martinez, who Irish fight fans know only all to well, defending his title against Limerick’s own Prizefighter Champion, Willie “Big Bang” Casey and then on the undercard you have the number 1 challenger Paul Hyland taking on another EBU rated opponent in Andrey Bogdanov.
“You can also throw into the mix the Cork based Cuban Alexei Collado. He’s also campaigning at Super Bantamweight, has a 100% stoppage record and is being talked about as a future World Champion so it’s a very interesting weight division right now and people will get a chance to compare all these guys on November 6th. We even have the prospect of an all Irish European title fight is Willie can beat Kiko and then defend against Paul. What a night that would be for Irish boxing.
The Hunky Dorys Fight Night is Limerick on November 6th also features the return of Martin “Iron Man” Rogan. The inaugural Prizefighter Champion and former Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion will step back into the ring a year to the day from his last fight in Belfast having made a successful recovery from a career threatening neck injury.
Cork based Cuban hotshot Luis Garcia faces a massive step up in class in just his eleventh pro fight when the World Junior amateur champion takes on former 2 time World Champion Byron Mitchell – the hard hitting American is best known on this side of the Atlantic for being the first man to put Joe Calzaghe on the canvas.
An Irish title will also be up for grabs in Limerick when Anthony Fitzgerald and Lee Murtagh finally look to get it on with Fitzgerald’s Irish title at stake. The duo were scheduled to clash on 2 previous occasions but both encounters were scrapped after Murtagh was forced to withdraw through injury but he will be hoping it’s third time lucky on this occasion.
Also featuring on the card is unbeaten Limerick based Galwegian Alan Donnellan and exciting Dublin prospects Brendan Fitzpatrick and Gavin Prunty while in another Ireland V Spain clash on the undercard Galway’s Jon Fogg makes his pro debut against unbeaten Spanish cruiserweight and Kiko Martinez training partner Ricky Pow.
Tickets for the Hunky Dorys Fight Night: Big Bang Theory priced from €40 are available from Ticketmaster.ie / 0818 719300 and all usual outlets.
