Marvel anti hero ‘The Punisher’ hasn’t been afforded the same spotlight as his fellow super hero’s in the modern Hollywood resurgence of all things comic book.

That, however looks set to change in 2016 as ‘The Punisher’ looks set for his own blockbuster film this year.

Similarly the boxing ‘Punisher,’ Patrick Hyland, is confident that he too will emerge from the featherweight shadows this year and make an impact on the World stage.

The Dublin featherweight returns to action on the MGM Promotions ‘Clash of the Clans’ card, but stresses that February 6th will be a keep-busy exercise and he will return to the business end of the sport come late Spring.

After an impressive display in a WBA interim World title shot against highly-rated Javier Fortuna back in 2012, things looked bright for the Tallaght puncher despite defeat.

However, ‘The Punisher’s’ progress has been somewhat stilted since. Promotional issues meant a lack of regular fights and left 2013 as a complete write off.

Two fights in 2014 were followed by two more in 2015, but despite calling for big fights ‘Pajo’ is still waiting another chance to impress at the highest level.

This year things will change he told Irish-boxing.com, as DiBella, who works closely with Murphy’s Boxing and Al Haymon, plots a return to the spot light for the former Irish Champion.

Hyland expects to return to America in March and is hopeful he will secure a big fight. Indeed a possible clash with current WBA featherweight ‘regular’ champion Jesus Marcelo Andres Cuellar has been muted. Cuellar claimed the interim title back in 2014 and collected the WBA featherweight ‘regular’ strap in 2015, meaning there could be an option the 32 year old Dub fights another ranked foe for the interim strap. Leo Santa Cruz is the organisation’s ‘super’ champion.

Either way the fighter from a famous boxing family believes 2016 will be his year.

“I am going all out this year. I will push hard this year and there will be a big push from my team. I have tried my best to get the likes of Josh Warrington and Eddie Hearn’s boys to fight me, but they are not having it. So it looks like America for me and I know I will get a World title fight,” Hyland told Irish-boxing.com

“Lou and Brian Petters have outlined a path toward big things and I am confident this will be my year. I know I will get a World title shot.
I am back in American in March. I heard March 11, but I think I will fight on March 19 or Stephen Smith fights Lou’s boy (IBF Champion Jose Pedreza) on March 26 on a PBC card he might want me out on that.”

“There was talk of the WBA interim title holder and I said I would take that, but a few names have been mentioned I just have to wait and see.”

Hyland might need a few wins to get him back in rankings of what is one of the most exciting divisions at World level, but once that is achieved he is confident his record will make him acceptable to the masses and his lack of activity might make him attractive to current champions.

With my record and history I don’t think there would be any objections TV or press wise to me getting a big fight and I think a lot of fighters will look at the fact I was out for a spell and a bit inactive and think ‘yeah we will take that’.