Hearn hoping to force Hyland v Ormond rematch

Eddie Hearn would “definitely” like to put on a Paul Hyland Jr v Stephen Ormond rematch the next time he comes to Belfast.

The Irish lightweight pair acted as the chief support on the Ryan Burnett v Zhanat Zhakiyanov undercard at the SSE Odyssey Arena on Saturday night and put on a show.

Home favourite Hylo dropped Ormond early, but the Dublin veteran came back strong and dominated down the stretch.

Following an all-action fight, the result led to much controversy, with Hyland [17(6)-0] being declared a split decision winner.

Most had felt that Ormond [24(13)-5(1)] had done enough, but Howard Foster and Valerie Dorsett scored the out 114-113 and a crazy 117-110 respectively in favour of Hyland.

Both teams in the aftermath did not seem keen on a repeat – with Team Hylo saying how they want to move forward and Team Ormond describing how they don’t want to be ‘robbed’ again

Hearn however wants to see it again, and replied “definitely” when the possibility of a rematch was put to him in the aftermath of Saturday’s card

Giving his view on the bout, the Matchroom boss described how “I thought it was a brilliant fight. I thought Ormond won it by one or two rounds, something like that.”

“I thought 117-110 was a disgrace, and actually that woman [Valerie Dorsett] was judging the main event. I think her card was better in the main event – 118-110.”

“I felt like, after eight rounds, Hyland was winning comfortably, and then he just stopped working. It was just Ormond’s work-rate.”

Hearn gave credit to both fighters following the twelve rounder for Hyland’s IBF East/West Europe belt and outlined that “what he [Hyland] showed was that he’s got a very good chin, he’s got plenty of heart, he can punch – because he had him nearly gone. He’s very exciting.”

“Don’t forget, that was a big test for Hyland tonight. When Mark Dunlop and we all made that fight, I was thinking: ‘bloody hell – he’s a handful, that Ormond.’”

“And he was fired up for that fight. I mean, blimey, he didn’t stop, did he? But yeah, I thought he deserved it. I’d love to do it again.”

“I’d like to make sure Ormond gets another opportunity, because he was fighting for his career tonight. Even if he didn’t deserve to get the win, he deserves to still be in big fights, because he was very exciting. Very exciting. I mean, he gave it everything.”

Following what was a debatable decision, Hearn believes that Hyland needs to face 34 year old Ormond again if he wants to progress his career and he made this point clear.

The Lagmore 27 year old is targeting a shot at British champion Lewis Ritson, but Hearn feels that Hyland needs to eliminate any doubt and silence any detractors – something the Matchroom boss believes he can do if they meet again.

Indicating that he may force the issue, Hearn outlined how “I told Paul Hyland and Mark Dunlop, I don’t think they really appreciated it, I had Ormond just winning the fight, just the last couple of rounds, he took over.”

“I’m not sure Hyland and Mark will be rushing for it, but they may have to, because most people thought Ormond won. So if I was Hyland, I’d think: ‘I’m going to improve from that. If I can’t beat Ormond, then I’m not really going to go much [further].”

“You’ve got Lewis Ritson, that’s a really good fight with Hyland as well. But I think when a fight like that [Hyland-Ormond] happens, and probably 80% think that Ormond won, it’s probably best to go and [rematch].”

“I think he [Hyland] can beat him next time around with more experience.”