Boxing News Boxing News
George Hillyard wants to put 18 months of frustration behind him and gain revenge in the process by beating Tyan Booth at the York Hall on April 11.
The Canning Town crowd pleaser has only had one fight in the last 18 months but a chance to avenge a 2006 points defeat to Booth should prove the perfect re-launch pad.
Their rematch is part of the undercard to the Craig Watson vs. John O’Donnell Commonwealth title clash with the Hennessy Sports event live on ITV4.
Hillyard says he’s itching to get back in the ring and start working his way towards title contention. “I’ve had a few personal things to deal with and you have to put your family before your career but I’m back now and I need to make up for the lost time,” said the 24-year-old.
It won’t be an easy return however as he bids to overturn his points defeat to Booth, who hails from the famous Ingle Gym in Sheffield.
“Booth’s a decent fighter and he’s coming off a big win in Canada last month,” said Hillyard.”He’s the kind of guy that’s hard to look good against and I found that out to my cost before. But you need to show your class against those type of opponents and you need to be beating these guys if you want to start stepping up through the levels.”
Hillyard believes that he still has plenty of time to fulfil the promise he showed early in his pro career. “I’m still a young guy and I really believe people haven’t seen the best of me yet. I’ve really buckled down now and I know that if I put in the work the rewards will come my way.
“I’d love to get my hands on a Southern Area title and then work up to a British title shot from there. The light middleweight division isn’t very exciting at the moment so I think there’s a real opening there to shake things up and bring a bit of excitement back because I’m always in good fights.
“I’ve always had a pro style. Even in the amateurs I liked to get in there and whack away like the pros. The computer scoring system really didn’t suit me so I couldn’t wait to turn pro. I’ve always had a good dig so I love getting in there and going toe to toe with my opponents.”
The Hillyard vs. Booth rematch is part of an exciting undercard to the Craig Watson vs. John O’Donnell Commonwealth Welterweight title fight at the York Hall on April 11.
In the chief support bout, Lenny Daws and Peter McDonagh clash for the English Light Welterweight title, while heavyweight sensation Tyson Fury, hot prospect Bradley Evans, Steve O’Meara and Irish Welterweight champ, Stephen Haughian, also feature.
Tickets are available from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk.
