Italian job for Hyland

9 March 2010 – By Steve Wellings

Irish champion Paul Hyland is relishing his Italian Job on March 12, when the 25-year-old tackles veteran David Chianella for the vacant EU super-bantamweight crown.

Leaving the relative comfort zone of Tallaght and travelling to Chianellas Naples home presents no issues for the confident Dubliner.

Ive no problems going over to Italy, explained Paul, I travelled abroad as an amateur and sometimes you have to go and grab the title. Italy, and especially Chianellas backyard, holds no fear for me.

I watched two or three rounds of him on DVD but I dont generally watch a great deal of my opponents in action. My team will take a look at him and work out a game plan. Ill get in the ring and do my thing on fight night.

Father/trainer Paddy Hyland realised that attempting to match the Italian power brokers in the purse bids was a futile exercise, yet remains fully confident of Pauls ability to outbox the Italian and bring the belt home.

There’s absolutely no doubt that Paulie’s in great shape, declared Paddy.

The Italians were chancing us a bit by asking for the fight to take place in early January but we wanted six weeks preparation for such a big fight, with a title on the line. We couldn’t match them at purse bids so we’ll happily travel but the date we have now (March 12) is a lot more realistic.

David Chianella is somewhat of a nearly man on the European scene although the 36-year-old sports a respectable 16-5-2 (5 KOs) slate.

Interestingly, he has been stopped in four of those losses and Hyland will be buoyant following a third round mauling of Eugene Heagney that cemented his Irish level credentials.

Chianella is the Italian featherweight champion and won the lightly regarded WBF Mediterranean belt in his last outing. Two of his last four losses though have been via the short route, which suggests he has peaked.

Hyland senior has invested in some high quality sparring to ensure full preparation for his man.

Pauls been sparring John Simpson and Ricky Burns, four rounds apiece, he added. Last week he did 10 rounds with the Cuban Alexei Acosta. We’re flying out on Tuesday and confidence is high.

Scotlands Simpson is Commonwealth featherweight champion while Ricky Burns challenges for the WBO title on April 24 at a UK venue. Paddy also revealed that Burns who is naturally big for a super-featherweight- was surprised by the toughness and resolve of Paul during the sparring session.

The work with Burns, Simpson and Acosta has really sharpened me up, admitted Paulie.

The whole camp has gone really well and Im looking forward to taking my opportunity. I was on the weight on Saturday and its all about relaxing now, the hard works been done.

A managers work, on the other hand, is never done and Paddy Hyland has been busy trying to get ring time for his other sons, Patrick and Eddie, as well as middleweight charge Robbie Long.

We are always looking to get work for our boys, he said.

But for this week at least, it will be the youngest of the trio that occupies the interest of Irish boxing fans.

Im a 25-year-old whos maturing into a proper professional fighter, enthused Paulie.

The time is right for me to step-up into the big league, starting in Italy on March 12.