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Dublin’s Patrick ‘The Punisher’ Hyland returned to the ring in style in New York with an impressive stoppage win over Puerto Rico’s Noel Echevarria.
The bout headlined promoter Lou DiBella’s Broadway Boxing card at BB King’s Blues club just off Times Square as Hyland put a frustrating 19 months of inactivity behind him. The Tallaght native had been on the sidelines due to contractual issues but quickly shook off any ring rust en route to a fourth round win over Echevarria
It was Hyland’s first bout under his new promotional deal with DiBella which he hopes will take him to a World title in 2015. Hyland dominated proceedings from start to finish showing little signs of ring rust and putting Echevarria on the back foot from the first bell.
The Dubliner began to really up the pace from the third round forcing his southpaw opponent to seek shelter along the ropes after a series of combinations. There was no hiding place for Echevarria though and Hyland simply couldn’t miss with long right hands and left hooks and by the end of the third round an early night was looking inevitable.
Hyland was determined to press home his advantage at the start of the fourth and very quickly had Echevarria reeling back to the ropes after a two fisted barrage. That was enough to convince referee Benji Estevez to step in with just 45 seconds gone in the round to save the beleaguered Echevarria from any further punishment.
The win sees Hyland’s impressive record improve to 28 wins from 29 fights with 13 KO’s. It was only the second stoppage defeat of Echevarria’s career with his previous inside the distance defeat coming at the hands of touted prospect Oscar Valdez in six rounds.
Hyland’s sole defeat came in a challenge for the WBA featherweight title in Las Vegas in December of 2012 when he lost a close points decision to feared puncher, Javier Fortuna.
Hyland’s win puts him right back on track for another world title shot in 2015. Speaking after the bout he said, “I was feeling the rust after two rounds so I tried to relax and let the shots go. I’m happy with the four rounds and the win. I had to put on a performance for the New York fans and all the Irish here. I want to stay active and get another world title shot.”
Manager Brian Peters said, “I thought it was an excellent performance by Patrick considering how long he has been out of the ring. He was very composed in there, found his distance and started to break his opponent down.
“I know Lou has big plans for Patrick now, he got a great reaction in New York last night and we want to build on that. I’m sure it will only be a matter of time before he’s knocking on the door of another World title shot.”
