Frank Maloney Boxing: Hyland On Alert For Napa

Irish prospect Paul Hyland could be in line for a shock crack at European bantamweight champion Ian Napa.

Hyland, 12-1, is set to challenge the Englishman if he defeats fellow Dubliner Eugene Heagney in their home city on Thursday, December 18.

The Irish champion and Heagney settle their differences in a six rounder on the big show at Dublin City University.

Promoter Frank Maloney said: “Ian has a defence lined up next month, but after that it could be Paul’s chance. “I think Ian is the best bantamweight in Europe by a long way, but Paul is one of the rising contenders and a serious threat.

“If Paul keeps improving his chance to challemge for the European title will come sooner rather than later. Napa takes on all comers and what a night it would be if Paul faced Ian and Darren Sutherland boxed on the same bill.”

Hyland, 24, was based in England early in his professional career but is settled back in Ireland. He lifted the national super-bantamweight crown in July outpointing tough Marc Callaghan

24 year old Heagney, 7-1, was stopped in eight rounds in a Irish bantamweight title fight by Colin Moffett 12 months ago.

He got his career back on track in July outpointing Kemal Plavci in a four rounder and is in the mood to cause a big upset.

All eyes will be on Irish Olympic Bronze Medallist Sutherland who faces Georgi Iliev in a six round super-middleweight clash on his eagerly awaited professional debut.

Rendell Munroe’s European super-bantamweight title defence against Italian champ Fabrizio Trotta tops the DCU bill which will be televised live in Britain and Ireland by Sky Sports.

London based Irishman Martin Power, 19-3, the former British bantamweight champion, faces a tough test against Gary Davies, 7-2-1.

In a special attraction Craig Watson, 13-2, defends his Commonwealth welterweight title against Adnan Amar, 22-1, a protégé of Dubliner Brendan Ingle.

A third title bout on the bill sees Jason Booth, 30-5, risks his Commonwealth bantamweight crown against Sean Hughes, 15-7-1.

Kiko Martinez, 19-1, who knocked out Bernard Dunne in seconds for the European title, boxes a six rounder on the undercard.

Tickets for the big Dublin bill cost 100 Euros and 50 Euros and are available from www.frankmaloney.com, www.ticketmaster.ie. To order from Ireland by phone call 08 18 719300, and from UK 0871 226 1508.