TV boost for Paul Hyland ahead of European title fight
Irish fight fans will be able to watch Paul Hyland Jr [20(7)-1(1)] in European title action tomorrow after the fight was picked up by Sky Sports.
The Lagmore puncher challenges Francesco Patera [21(7)-3(0)] for the famous blue belt in Milan.
The Matchroom promoted show will be broadcast on DAZN, but with the streaming service not available in Ireland or the UK there were fears some Hyland fans may not be able to take the action in.
However, Sky have now confirmed they have picked up the card and will begin broadcasting from 8:00pm.
Patera is looking to make the second defence of his title since his sensational upset win over Lewis Ritson last October.
While the Genk-based boxer was a former champion having traded wins with Edis Tatli in 2017, few gave him a chance against the fearsome Geordie who was being groomed as a new arena-filler for Matchroom.
However, Patera came through a rough start to outbox a drained Ritson down the stretch to claim a deserved win and the vacant title – which he defended versus Frenchman Marvin Petit in March.
Hyland, who is a voluntary defence, will be looking to prove once more that triangle theories matter little in boxing.
The Belfast fighter was stopped in the opening round by Ritson last summer in Newcastle, getting caught in the same early storm which Patera weathered.
After the loss, Hyland bounced back with a win over Mexican journeyman Giovanni Martinez in Tallaght and would then climb off the canvas to outpoint strong Czech light welter champ Miroslav Serban at the Ulster Hall in February.
The 28-year-old stated that he was keen to return into title fights and tomorrow gets a shot at the ‘real’ European title.
The fight is the chief support bout on the Matchroom bill.
🇬🇧 🇮🇹 Paul Hyland Jr heads to Italy this week to fight for the European lightweight title
📺 The Belfast boxer takes on Francesco Patera in Milan LIVE on Sky Sports Action
⏰ 8pm – Friday night pic.twitter.com/T4k5h4Mmwt
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) June 25, 2019
Headlining are super middleweights Alessandro Goddi and Daniele Scardina who box for the latter’s IBF International title.
