And then there was one

26 February 2010 – By Steve Wellings

The Cuban dream may be all but over for manager/promoter Gary Hyde but the Cork businessman insists that the outlook is bright.

Acosta, Garcia and Perez have all flown the nest but Hyde has retained the signature of a potential multi-weight world titlist in the form of stellar amateur Guillermo Rigondeaux.

Im just working on lining Rigondeaux up with a fight. All three Cubans are gone from me now, were 100 per cent split, he confirmed.

Im not at all disappointed at how things turned out and I still have the star attraction Rigondeaux is the gem of the bunch. My dream burst a little bit with the other three, but theyre all capable of winning world titles.

These things happen in business and Ill move on now. Rigondeaux is superb and I reckon he will be a three-time world champion within 18 months; his coach Freddie Roach agrees with that.

Hyde also revealed that he has now severed any tenuous links he once had with novice professionals JJ and Paddy McDonagh. The Mullingar duo are now going it alone after appearing recently under the Cork mans promotional outfit.

I never had a contract with the McDonaghs, he stated, I just started them off in the pro game. The idea was to bring them in under my umbrella and I got them two fights each in two weeks. Theyre ready to go themselves now.

Hydes recent search for talent has taken him a little closer to home as he attempts to pick a cherry from the Irish senior championships, currently showing in Dublin.

Ive been up at the seniors putting a bit of time in to a few Irish lads, trying to get them to cross over. Its hard work though trying to convince them.

Im very close to signing a real star but Im not quite sure if hes going to go or not. I suppose well know in the next fortnight.