Dolphil undercard round-up
24 January 2011 – Jonny Stapleton
Oisin Fagan is eager to ensure a more fitting end to his ring career and has targeted a farewell Irish-title bout with Eddie Hyland for March 19.
Gael Force blows back onto the Irish fight scene this Sunday and will take the frustration felt by what he believes was a premature stoppage defeat suffered at the gloves of Andy Murray, out on opponent Jevenjis Fjordovs.
The disgruntled and proud former Irish champ didnt want to terminate a distinguished career on such a sour stoppage note and is keen to use his return clash as tune up for what he believes would be a sweet send off against the oldest of the Hyland brothers.
The former Oklahoma state champion, who has shared the ring with Paul Spadafora, Amir Khan and Julio Chavez Jr, wants to go out with a bang on the under card of Wille Big Bang Caseys bid to disarm and disrobe Cuban missile Guillermo Rigondeaux.
And the humble workhorse wants a repeat of the 2009 Irish fight of the year to be his send off.
Everyone knows I was very upset at how things went in my last fight against Andy. I know I was losing the fight, but the plan was to come on strong after six rounds. I had never been stopped before without breaking any bones and I was very upset with the stoppage, Fagan said at a press conference in Crumlin Gym this week.
I am very excited about coming back. I will use this fight as a tune up for a title shot. I am only back for two fights and I want to go out with an Irish title fight. Eddie Hyland is back fighting now and I would love to challenge him for a title. I am not sure what weight it would be at but that would be a great fight. We fought the fight of the year in 2009 and I would love to get that on again. I did say I would like to fight Paul Griffin but I know Paul isnt in as much as a hurry as me despite being older. I want that title fight and then its back into retirement.
Another fighter re-entering the paid ranks this weekend is former amateur stand out and 39-year-old, Paul Griffin as he takes on Mihails Sakara on the same show.
The two time European gold medallist, who lost in a family feud with cousin Paul Hyland in his last outing, isnt in any rush to secure big fights and is singing from the famous one fight at a time hymn sheet.
I am looking forward to the weekend. I feel fit and I think I have still have a bit to offer. I am not setting any goals or targets I will see how this fight goes and take it from there. I am nearly 40 now and who knows I might try and get Mick Dowling out of retirement when I turn 50.
Meanwhile former European title challenger, Paulie Hyland has been pulled off the action packed Dolphil Sunday Matinee Show.
The super bantamweight stylist, who lost to Willie Casey in the first ever all Ireland Continental show down in his last outing, has been forced to delay his return to after picking up a slight injury last week.
Hyland was pencilled in to fight Zsolt Nagy on the January 30 City West hosted show but joins fellow casualties Michael Sweeney and former bare knuckle champion Paddy Ward on the sick list.
One Hyland, who will make a surprise return to action albeit not on the first show of the year, is the eldest of the three champion brothers Eddie Hyland.
It was rumoured Eddie had hung up his gloves but trainer and father Paddy Hyland told Irish-boxing.com that the Irish champion is back in training with a view to fighting later on in the year.
The Golden Cobra coach also revealed Patrick Hyland, who is on the verge of a European title tilt, will fight on the under-card of Paul McCloskeys next European title defence, if the Dungiven ace can not get Khan.
