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Tommy Hyde Set To Face Thomas O’Toole In the Finals

 

Tommy Hyde, a fighter from Cork, stepped into the ring last Saturday to fight Dublin’s, Paul McCullough. After nerve-racking rounds, Tommy Hyde was victorious winning with on 3-2 split decision.

 

Hyde spoke out after the fight to EchoLive about the upcoming event and making he’s Great grand-uncle proud. “I’m very confident as always. I’m in this to win it, and I’m nearly there now”, he said, adding that “It was a cagey fight, and I’m delighted with the win.”

 

He also had some kind words to say about McCullagh, claiming that he is “a good lad, and it was a good fight.” Tommy is now heading into the finals and he admits he is looking forward to the next weekend, since it has been “70 years to the day since my great grand uncle won the title.”

 

Next week, Tommy is looking to make his ancestor proud, who in 1946, also brought home the Elite Belt. Surprisingly, his name was also Tommy Hyde.

 

The young Hyde will fight for the National Elite championship belt weighing in the 81Kg category. He will be competing under the same roof as his great grand uncle did, nearly three-quarters of a century afterwards.

 

The town of Cork will see two fighters enter the ring this week with Christina Desmond also reaching the finals. The Cork County Boxing Board made a statement wishing Tommy and Christina the best of luck for one of the biggest fights this year.

“It’s a massive night for Cork boxing as we have two athletes one win each away from the ultimate prize in our sport. All of Cork boxing is behind Christina and Tommy,” said Board President Mick O’Brien.

Hyde certainly comes from a fighting background not only did his great grand uncle box, but, his father was the manager of one of the “greatest amateurs of all time” the cuban legend Rigondeaux.

 

With a family line like that behind Tommy, you should expect great things in the future for the young lad. We’ll have to wait and see how things play out for the aspiring boxer.

 

His opponent will be Thomas O’Toole from Galway who defeated David Bicevis at the same event. O’Toole will be one of four boxers from Galway to reach the National Elite senior finals. It seems like the Celtic Eagles boxing club are producing some quality boxers.    

 

Thomas O’Toole is going from strength to strength, having conquered last year the top prize in the Haringey Box Cup, beating the norwegian Mindaugas Gedminas in a decisive group A matchup.

 

It looks set to be a great matchup with both fighters eager to make a name for themselves.  Both lads will be looking to take the belt home to their respective hometowns.

 

We can tell that the pressure will be on for Tommy, as he will want to do his great grand uncle proud and take the belt home, while Thomas O’Toole will surely want to add this title to his collection. Meanwhile, the cities of Galway and Cork will definitely have a reason to tune in and cheer for one of the boys on the ring.

 

It feels slightly like the amateur boxing version of the Wilder vs Fury fight. Both fighters have something to prove, stopping at nothing to get there.

 

The running order was announced yesterday although it will be subject to change so keep your eyes open. The fight will take place on the 23rd of this month and will be held in the National Stadium.

 

The National Elites final will be broadcasted by TG4 with the first bell at 5:45 pm. It’s set to be the biggest fight night for Irish boxing this year so don’t miss a punch!

 
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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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