Paul Hyland Jr scores stunning first round knockout over Adam Dingsdale

In one of the biggest statements made by an Irish boxer in recent times, Paul Hyland Jr scored a stunning FIRST ROUND stoppage win over Adam Dingsdale tonight at the SSE Odyssey Arena in Belfast.

In the chief support bout of the Matchroom ‘Belfast Boy’ Lee Haskins v Ryan Burnett world title undercard, Lagmore lightweight Hyland jumped his vastly more experienced opponent in the opening round, sending him down twice and ending the contest in the most unlikely of circumstances.

Dingsdale had fought the likes of Derry Mathews and Steve Ormond and gone the distance but Hylo would have the Englishman out inside two minutes.

Jumping on his opponent early, Dingsdale would go down, bringing Hyland with him, following an extended barrage. With Dingsdale on wobbly legs, Hyland would go in for the stoppage and caught Dingsdale clean with another combination, sending him down heavily and out.

The stunning win sees Hyland move to 16(6)-0 and pick up the IBF East/West Europe belt, with a shell-shocked Dingsdale dropping to 16(4)-4(1).

The nature of the win should see Hyland secure further big names, and fights with Commonwealth champion Sean Dodd and British champ Robbie Barrett looking appealing.

LISTEN: Gavan Casey and Joe O’Neill speak to Luke Keeler and Paddy Barnes on Episode 6 of The Irish Boxing Show: