Hyland hoping for all-Irish title fight

PAUL HYLAND is hoping Bernard Dunne will reclaim the world title so he can then be part of what would be a sensational world title fight between two Dubliners in their native city.

The 25-year-old Tallaght fighter defends his Irish super bantamweight title against Eugene Heagney on the undercard to the Matthew Macklin — Rafa Sosa Pintos clash on the Sierra Fight Night at the National Stadium on December 5 and he believes an all Dublin world title showdown could come sooner than people think.

Hyland believes Dunne, who lost his WBA Super Bantamweight title to Thailand’s Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym in September, can bounce back and regain his world crown.

“I believe Bernard can win the world title again,” he insisted. “Not many people gave him a chance after the Kiko Martinez defeat and he came back from that to become a world champion and I think he can do it again. A lot of people have been talking about me fighting Bernard and that’s a fight I’ve always wanted but I think there would have to be something at on the line for that fight to make sense.”

In the most recent European ratings Dunne is ranked at No 2 while Hyland is listed at No 7 in the super bantamweight division.

“I’ve looked up to Bernard for a long time,” said Hyland. “I remember when I first turned pro he sent me a text congratulating me after my debut. He’s put Irish boxing on the map and although he lost to Poonsawat I believe he can become a world champion again and when he does then can you imagine two Dubliner’s fighting for the world title. That would be something else.”

Hyland has domestic issues of his own to take care of on December 5 when he clashes with Huddersfield- based Dubliner Eugene Heagney in the first defence of his Irish Super Bantamweight title. The two met in a non title affair last December with Hyland winning on points but with his Irish title on the line in the rematch he says it’s a fight that has extra significance.

“There’s more on the line for me with this one because my belt is at stake and I’m very proud to be the Irish Champion so I’ve worked extra hard for this one,” he said.

“I’ve watched the tape back on our first fight and I’ve spotted things that I should have done first time around that I’ll be looking to do this time.”

If all goes to plan on December 5 Hyland admits he won’t be indulging in too much turkey over the Christmas period. “I’m the mandatory for the European Union title against David Chianella and that fight’s coming up in Italy in February. I’ll have to travel to his hometown for that one but I don’t mind, I’m confident I’ll win the title wherever the fight takes place.”