Risking Ritson – Paul Hyland Jr warned against complacency ahead of Floyd Moore fight

Forget Lewis Ritson and a possible Summer British title fight Paul Hyland Jr can’t afford to look past April 14th and Floyd Moore.

Newcastle lightweight Ritson [15(9)-0] is a name of everyone’s lips after he registered a second successive quickfire stoppage defence live on Sky Sports on Saturday night.

However, Hyland’s manager Mark Dunlop warns that the come from nowhere fighter, who is now being billed as a future star can’t be on the mind of ‘Hylo’ just yet.

Having paid his dues on the small circuit Hyland took his chance on TV in 2017 and after three wins is now just one victory away from a career-changing British title shot – and Dunlop warns the most important step along that British title road still has to be taken.

The Belfast boxer tops the ‘Collision’ bill at the Europa Hotel in just under three weeks time and Dunlop claims the twelve-rounder with Moore is what counts at this time and claims that’s all the team are thinking about.

It’s high stakes and Hyland [17(6)-0] has to deliver warns the promoter-manager who also has a European super featherweight title fight for James Tennyson against champion Martin J Ward to look forward to as well as a rematch for Ronnie Clark v Zelfa Barrett.

Indeed, it is quite a risky fight for Hyland who is returning to the ring after almost six months out with injury, something which Dunlop acknowledges.

“Hylo needs a decent fight as he has been out so long from the broken jaw which is why we are going back in deep with Moore,” the MHD boss told Irish-Boxing.com. 

The Lagmore lightweight was recently installed as mandatory challenger for the winner of Ritson’s clash with Scotty Cardle. However, this place could be lost if Hyland doesn’t do the business versus two-time Southern Area champ Moore.

“We are just focused on this fight for now,” noted Dunlop. “We will cross the Ritson bridge if all goes well on the 14th. If Moore wins then he will get the title shot. Simple as that, high stakes.”

Hylo is back!@PaulHylandJr deep in preparation for his clash with Floyd Moore at the Europa Hotel in Belfast on Saturday April 14th.

Some massive, massive fights ahead if he can get the win. pic.twitter.com/RC1UaKOX88

— Irish-Boxing.com (@Irishboxingcom) March 26, 2018

While Hyland has to focus on April 14th – which is being marketed as a farewell to the small hall scene – Dunlop can afford a slight glance forward and he is adamant his charge won’t be content by just earning a tilt at the Lonsdale belt.

The promoter also suggests it’s a clash that could play out in Belfast. June 16th in Newcastle had been suggested by Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn, but Dunlop believes Belfast could be the destination for the mooted match-up.

“If he can’t beat Moore then he won’t beat Ritson and we aren’t taking any of the fights as pay days, we are going for gold.”

“Let’s talk after 14th, but Hylo sells enough to make the fight in Belfast successful.”