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Irish lightweights give their predictions for Paul Hyland Jr v Stephen Ormond


One of the best all-Irish fights of the year takes place tomorrow night in Belfast.

The two top active lightweights in Ireland go head-to-head in the chief support on the Ryan Burnett v Zhanat Zhakiyanov undercard.

Paul Hyland Jr [16(6)-0] looks to defend his IBF East/West Europe belt against Stephen Ormond [24(13)-4(1)] at the SSE Odyssey Arena – and their fellow Irish lightweights are split.

Both fighters have similar all-action styles, while there is the added dimension of the battle between youth and freshness – as well as the potential inexperience – of 27 year old Hyland and then the experience – and maybe miles on the clock – of 34 year old Hyland.

Irish-Boxing.com got in contct with all the other Irish lightweights to get their views on the fight, and below are the responses we received.

Jamie Kavanagh
20(10)-1(1)-1

BUI Rank – #2
I think maybe Stephen has enough in the tank to beat Paul – but Paul is getting better with each fight. I’m looking forward to the fight because it could go either way.

Joe Fitzpatrick
7(3)-0
BUI Rank – #4
I think Hyland on points, definitely. I think Ormond’s lost his timing, he is a bit old. I fancy Hyland to do the damage, this has probably been the best camp I’ve seen Hylo train in.

Mark Morris
3(1)-1(1)
BUI Rank – #8
Hyland v Ormond will be a good one. If the two of them are at the top of their game I think Hylo will take this one. The guy doesn’t stop training, fit and ready to go. I think this one might be a stoppage as well.

Liam Gaynor
1(0)-0
BUI Rank – #9
I think Ormond takes that all day. He’ll probably stop Hyland in the later rounds from breaking him down so much. I’ve seen Ormond doing some light sparring before and his way of moving is just different class compared to anyone in and around his weight in Ireland – and that’s only a bit of light sparring. Can’t see him losing this one but at the end of the day it’s boxing it only takes one punch to make a difference in a fight.

Karl Kelly
1(0)-0
BUI Rank – #10
God it’s going to be a serious fight, the two lads are no pushover. It’s not going to be a boring fight and to be fair it’s a hard one to call who’s going to take the W.

Gary Cully
1(1)-0
BUI Rank – N/A
I’ve never seen Hyland fight. When this fight was announced I was in Marbella training and I had to ask Jamie Conlan and Paddy Barnes what he was like as I’d never seen him before. So I can only give you my opinion on Ste and therefore my prediction will have to be Ormond, I think he puts in a huge performance Saturday.

Ray Moylette
7(3)-0
BUI Rank – #9 (at light welterweight)
I have shared the ring with both lads so I have a fair idea what they’re thinking. I fought Paul Hyland in the amateurs many years ago and I’m the current sparring partner to my gym mate Stephen Ormond. The way I see it is Hyland has 16 wins with only six KO’s so maybe not a big puncher. He likes to move and Ormond only knows one way. Ormond is a great pressure fighter and with such stakes on the line he is going to throw the kitchen sink. If Hyland isn’t strong enough to hold him off, Ormond wins it easy. Hyland has great boxing skill, but the question is has Hyland enough power to hold Ormond off?

Victor Rabei
2(0)-0
BUI Rank – #12 (at light welterweight)
This a tricky one! I’ve been sparring Stephen and he is very focused. If he brings his best to the ring, I see the fight being stopped between 7-10 and Stephen getting his hand raised.

Martin Quinn
1(0)-0
BUI Rank – #13 (at light welterweight)
I love Stephen Ormond and would really like to see him win – but I think it’s Paul Hyland’s time, he is exceptional. It’s hard to call

dpg

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

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