Patrick Hyland believes that becoming a Celtic Warrior will help when he goes war at elite level in 2016.

The Punisher hopes to return to World level over the coming 12 months, and is confident that joining forces with Pascal Collins and co in Corduff will help him achieve his top level goals.

The former WBA interim featherweight World title challenger was trained by Tracey Patterson, son of former heavyweight champ Floyd, when he travelled to fight Stateside, and worked with his father, legendary Dublin trainer Patrick Hyland Snr, when at home.

However, after his father’s tragic passing, the Lou DiBella promoted puncher, who is hoping for a big fight in America this March, considered his training options and elected to team up with Collins in a gym he had regularly visited to spar Stephen Ormond.

“Honestly it was a big decision to take Pascal as my trainer and not to work with Tracey who has been brilliant with me,”  Hyland told Irish-boxing.com.

“I am working full time in Dublin at the moment. They have always been really good in letting me go out to American for about four weeks before my fights, but that wasn’t ideal or really fair on me or Tracey. I would be going out for a month spending a week getting re-acquainted with him and used to him on the pads. That would give us only two weeks to work as you don’t do too much in fight week.”

“I asked Tracey about it before I made the move and he said if it is the best thing for me to go ahead with it. Since my Dad passed I was down with Eddie (Hyland) or training myself before going to America. It wasn’t ideal. I needed a place to go and a trainer to be working with in Ireland and there was only one place to go in Dublin.”

Hyland hasn’t had any issues settling in to his new place of work and feels at home under the tutelage of Collins working along side the likes of Stephen Ormond, Jono Carroll, Luke Keeler and Spike O’Sullivan.

“I have settled in really well – In fairness I have been going over there since 2008 and I know Packie well. I have been surprised with how quick he has picked up on things with me. He noticed some faults Tracey and my Dad have been trying to iron out for a while and has me working on them.

“I think he will have me sitting down on my shots a little more and has tweaked things offensively and defensively.”

The 31-1 Tallaght puncher is hoping for another big fight in America come Spring-time and revealed his team have 2016 World title aspirations for him.

However, before he returns across the water the Dubliner will fight in his home town and is one of a number of names populating the Clash of The Clans card, which plays out in the National Stadium on February 6th.

Hyland admits it’s a keep busy bout, but is delighted with the chance to appear at home.

“It’s been June 2011 since I last fought at the Stadium.  I am really buzzing and now being in the Celtic Warriors Gym and being around the boys more I have a new buzz about me.

“Lou still has plans for me, but for me getting on shows like this it’s just about keeping busy. It is just about fighting. I don’t mind not topping a bill I am happy to fight down the card. Any shows in Dublin I just always said ‘get me on it’ just to keep busy.”

“Now when I go and win something big in the States I would love to come home defend it and headline, but I am happy knowing Lou has plans for me and I can keep busy on a show like this. In saying that it is always great to fight at home in front of your own and I am buzzing.”