Headline opponent changed for ‘Collision’ card in Belfast next week

The ‘Collision’ fight card in Belfast next weekend has been hit by the unfortunate withdrawal and subsequent retirement of Floyd Moore.

The English boxer was due to face Lagmore lightweight Paul Hyland Jr [17(6)-0] in the headline attraction of the three-fight MHD Promotions dinner show at the Europa Hotel on Saturday April 14th.

Moore [15(9)-6(3)-2], a two-time BBBoC Southern Area champion, has had to cease boxing entirely due to serious injury – which thankfully will not affect his long-term health.

The show will go on, however, and 27-year-old Hyland remains the headliner in his comeback bout from six months out with a broken jaw,

Stepping in at late notice to save the show and face Hylo is Portsmouth’s David Birmingham [6(3)-1(1)].

The 36-year-old is a late starter in pro boxing having turned over in 2016. The sole blemish on his record came in a BBBoC Southern Area title fight last July where he was stopped in the sixth by Jumanne Camero.

Hyland was last month instated the mandatory challenger for British champion Lewis Ritson who, after defending his belt with quickfire knockouts of Joe Murray and Scotty Cardle, is just one win away from winning the Lonsdale Belt outright.

A fight with Hyland, should he get through Birmingham, has been proposed for Newcastle on June 16th – although the winner of the Commonwealth title fight between Sean Dodd and Tommy Coyle has also been proposed.

The Commonwealth Youth bronze medalist though will need to keep focused on the task initially at hand as he looks to build on a breakthrough 2017.

Event promoter and manager of Hylan, Mark Dunlop, paid tribute to the injured Moore. He said “Floyd has been a great servant to boxing and despite his injury is able walk away from the sport in good health and we wish him and his family all the best in the future.”

“I know many will be disappointed that Hyland Jnr v Moore will never happen now but as I say to everyone, ‘Health is Wealth’.”

“We have been working hard all day to find a suitable replacement, the show must go on and David Birmingham has now stepped in at short notice, of which we are all very grateful.”

“As you know Hylo is the mandatory challenger for the British lightweight title and this has to happen in the summer, we are working very hard to make this title fight happen in Belfast, it is also very important that Paul has a good fight before this big showdown with Lewis Ritson.”

The undercard next weekend also features the return of Jay Byrne and Vladimir Belujsky – who face Jamesy Gorman and Iain Jackson respectively.