Hearn: Warrington-Hyland is a crossroads clash for both

Matchroom head honcho Eddie Hearn knows the importance of Josh Warrington’s fight with Patrick Hyland at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on July 30th.

For Hyland, the fight is an immediate shot at redemption following his two-round loss to Gary Russell Jr in April, while Warrington’s World title ambitions will be in tatters if he is to lose to the Jobstown featherweight.

A fight between the pair had seemed like a possibility in the past but never materialised with both fighters seemingly taking different paths – Hyland fighting for World honours in Conneticut, while an Elland Road showdown between Warrington and IBF champ and Matchroom stablemate Lee Selby seemed a foregone conclusion. However, with Warrington delaying his bout with the Welshman due to his impending marriage, a fight with ‘The Punisher’ was put back on the table, and a loss here would certainly derail Matchroom’s plans.

Speaking today at the announcement of the bout, Hearn noted that “Warrington vs Hyland is a fight that we’ve looked to make in the past and it’s a real crossroads clash,”

“Patrick has only had two defeats both in World title challenges, while Josh is set for his first shot at a World crown later this year – victory for both men on July 30th is vital.”