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Paul Hyland Jr hopes to secure title scrap with Serban scalp


Paul Hyland Jr [19(7)-1(1)] hopes he can propel himself into a title fight with a big win tomorrow night.

The Belfast lightweight fights on the big MHD Promotions ‘A Night To Remember‘ bill at the Ulster Hall.

Seven months on from his British title loss to Lewis Ritson, Hyland takes on Czech light welter champion Miroslav Serban [10(5)-1(0)] over eight rounds and believes he may be just one win away from a shot at another belt.

Following a six-round return in Dublin, Hyland now moves into a more competitive fight against a physically strong opponent with good amateur pedigree and it’s the sort of test the Lagmore man wants.

Acknowledging the benefits of such a fight, Hyland told Irish-Boxing.com that it is “a good tough one, Mark was telling me that this guy has good ranking points and that he is the Czech champion..”

“Straight away I said ‘yeah’ because straight away it’s going to put me right back up the ladder. You buzz off big fights so you do.”

It’s a special location and it will be a Ulster Hall debut for the 28-year-old.

Hyland described how “I never did box here. I watched Martin Lindsay and Big Rogie out there. I think that was one of the last fights there, seven years ago.”

“I watched the Ulster Seniors there last year and this year but I never got to box here so I am looking forward to it.”

“I did a few tickets and I am thankful to everyone that got tickets. Everyone is saying to me the atmosphere is class. I am excited to see how it goes.”

The famous hall can always generate a big atmosphere, something Hyland feeds off.

However, he notes that he needs to be careful, outlining how “I always get drawn into a fight, there is always a plan until I get done on the nose.”

“This boy was originally a welterweight and dropped down to light welter and now he’s down to lightweight so he probably is going to be a bit strong and maybe a bit slower.”

“The plan is to outbox him. That is what we have been working on in the gym, slipping and boxing, then we can start doing what I need to do then but, as I say, the plan is to outbox him.”

Hyland’s big goal is to get back into title fights – hopefully in his next outing.

The British title, which is still held by Ritson remains his priority, but Joe Cordina’s Commonwealth belt and the IBF European rankings title formerly held by Hyland but now in the possession of Robbie Barrett also appeal.

Ritson defends versus Andy Townend next month and may be set to vacate afterwards – with Hyland hoping to get another shot as soon as possible.

The Ulsterman explained how “I am still sitting a #10. That’s a title I still want to fight for. The British title is a dream of mine, to lift it, and I still believe, one day, I will. It’s just all working towards that now.”

“I am still confident I will lift that one day. That’s what I want to achieve in boxing and I believe I will achieve it.”

“I would love a title fight again in the summer time. The Commonwealth is there, there is the IBF European one they took off me, but the British is the main aim.”

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Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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