Headline NewsOpponent Watch

Adam Dingsdale feels he has “crucial” edge over Paul Hyland Jr ahead of Belfast battle

“You can’t buy experience.”

That’s the mantra of Adam Dingsdale [16(4)-3(0)], who believes that he has a vital edge over Paul Hyland Jr ahead of their fight in Belfast this weekend.

The lightweight pair face off on Saturday night at the SSE Odyssey Arena in one of the chief support bouts of the IBF bantamweight title clash between champion Lee Haskins and local lad Ryan Burnett.

Haskins has spoken of his title experience being the deciding factor for his fight with Burnett, and Dingsdale echoes these sentiments.

The former BBBoC Southern Area champion has gone the distance with big names in Derry Mathews and Dublin’s Steve Ormond and holds a ten-round win over former proposed Hyland opponent Michael Devine.

By comparison, while Hyland [15(5)-0] has faced impressively tough journeyman, the only notable name on his record at present is Peter Cope.

This gulf in experience, Dingsdale believes, will stand him in good stead going into the IBF East/West Europe title fight.

“I’ve been in a lot of proper fights,” he told Irish-Boxing.com.

“Experience will be a crucial part. You can’t buy experience.”

While Dingsdale is a late announcement, there is no fear that he will come in under-prepared.

The Kent 29 year old explained that “it was two weeks notice but, due to two opponents pulling out, I’ve been in the gym constantly training hard anyway. I always keep in shape between fights.”

For Irish boxing fans who may not have seen his WBO European title fight with Ormond back in 2013, Dingsdale is promising an entertaining showing and a ding-dong battle on Saturday night.

The Englishman described how “I’m a box-fighter, I like to box and move – but I can stand and fight when I need to.”

“I’ve not seen too much of Paul, he looks a good aggressive fighter. I can see it being a exciting fight and our styles will gel nicely.”

Dingsdale is most definitely not coming to merely make up the numbers, and he has his eye on domestic titles. With the British scene blown wide open following Robbie Barrett’s upset win over Scott Cardle, and Sean Dodd holding the Commonwealth crown, Dingsdale believes he is just one victory away from a big fight.

“I think a good win here on Saturday will put me straight in line for a shot at either [British or Commonwealth],” he stated.

“That’s the aim as well, everyone wants that British title.”

The Burnett-Haskins undercard at present also features an Irish cruiserweight title fight between Luke Watkins and Ian Tims, Feargal McCrory v Paul Holt, James Tennyson v Ryan Doyle and appearances from Carl McDonald, Sean Magee, Matt Wilton, Tyrone McCullagh, Paddy Gallagher, Padraig McCrory, and the return of Mike Perez.

Tickets for ‘Belfast Boy’ on June 10th at the SSE Odyssey Arena cost £30, £40, £60, £100, and £150 (VIP), and can be bought from the boxers involved or HERE.

frayne carpentry

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

x