Hyland returns with Cuban classic
9 February 2011 – Jonny Stapleton
Paulie Hyland claims he will prove his European title defeat to Willie Casey was a minor blip by overcoming a tricky Cuban mission of his own on the under-card of the Limerick natives WBA world title fight with Guillermo Rigondeaux.
Like recent conqueror Casey, the Tallaght stylist takes on a former Cuban amateur of note, in the form of Cork based Alexi Acosta in City West on March 19.
Super bantamweight Hyland, who took the EBU fight with just two weeks notice, is determined to prove what he can do with a full training camp under his belt and is confident he and not his Cuban counterpart will be talked about as a star in the making after their Spring encounter.
The youngest of three champion brothers, who has amateur pedigree of his own, is confident he can diffuse the Cuban missile and isnt deterred by the 2006 World Junior gold medallists one hundred percent pro knock out ratio.
When I beat Acosta people will see Limerick and the defeat to Willie Casey was only a blip. We have agreed to fight in principle we are just waiting on contracts to be signed, Hyland told Mirror Sport.
He is regarded as a real up and coming fighter, but from my point of view if you want to be the best you have to beat the best. The likes of Mick Dowling and Bernard Dunne have tipped him to become a world champion, but if he does become world champion it will be with a loss against me on his record.
His knock out ratio doesnt bother me. Just look at his opponents, no disrespect to them, but they are not of my calibre. He has never been pushed at pro level but he will be pushed to the limit against me. He likes to bully people but I will be the bully when we fight, Hyland added before admitting he would like another Willie Casey tilt.
Of course I want a rematch with Willie. I still believe I am a better fighter than Willie. I took that fight at 10 days notice I want to fight him with a real training camp behind me.
