Stadium set for Irish title fights

16 April 2008 – by Mark Doyle

After the success of Bernard Dunnes trip to Castlebar, Mayo last Saturday night, the focus of Irish boxing returns to Dublin this weekend for a fascinating bill featuring two potentially explosive domestic dust-ups.

In a bout being touted as The Battle of the Liberties, rising star Patrick Hyland will put his unbeaten record on the line when he takes on the ever dangerous Paul Griffin for the vacant Irish featherweight title.

The pair are actually related, through their respective grandparents, the well-known Liberties family, the Winters, and this promises to be a passionate, full-blooded affair.

Meanwhile, Hylands brother, Eddie, will also be hoping to leave the National Stadium with a belt around his waist as he will be meeting the highly-rated Belfast man Kevin Hara for the vacant Irish super-featherweight title.

Given their respective styles, fireworks would be almost a guarantee anyway, but given that a win would push the victor into European title contention, a thrilling fight is a certainty. The fact that OHara dropped a decision to Hyland as an amateur will only extra spice to the occasion.

There a number of interesting fights on the undercard, too, with another Hyland, super-bantamweight Paul, taking on Englands Sumala Badu in an eight-rounder.

Corks Gary OSullivan will meet Tye Williams in a light-middleweight contest scheduled for four rounds, while Dublin cruiserweights Jonathon OBrien and Ian Timms will both be in action.

Galways Declan Timlin is also scheduled to appear but his opponent has yet to be confirmed.

Irish Featherweight Title:

Patrick Hylan v Paul Griffin (10 Rounds)

Irish Super-featherweight title:

Edward Hyland v Kevin OHara (10 Rounds)

Super-bantamweight:

Paul Hyland v Sumala Badu (8 Rounds)

Light-middleweight:

Gary OSullivan v Tye Williams (4 Rounds)

Cruiserweight:

Jonathon OBrien v Radcliffe Green (6 Rounds)

Cruiserweight:

Ian Timms v Lee Rutland (4 Rounds)

Heavyweight:

Declan Timlin v TBC (6 Rounds)

The Price of tickets are as follows:

Gallery 40

Floor & Balcony 60

Ringside 100

Available from: Ticketmaster.ie, Destination Events 01-8224144, Pat Hyland 087-0613785.