‘I hope he wants a tear up’- Hyland hoping Russell comes to fight

WBC featherweight World title challenger Patrick Hyland thinks it is Showtime in more ways than one for champion Gary Russell Jr.

‘The Punisher’ feels Russell Jr is under pressure to put on a show on the Showtime broadcast card and as a result be knock out keen in Foxwoods tonight.

Rather than feel worried about the champions potential bad intentions indeed Hyland will welcome an over eager Russell Jr.

The Pascal Collins trained World title hopeful thinks an aggressive approach from the American will play into his hands.

“He doesn’t move too much, he will be in the pocket and I know on his first defence he will want to put a show on and try stop me,” Hyland told Irish-boxing.com.

“I hope he does come out to have it, he will play into my arms. I don’t mind a tear up and I hope he wants one. Packie has a game plan and I have to do what the coach says,but I do hope he wants a tear up.”

Pascal Collins has a game plan in place for Hyland, one he thinks his late father would have agreed with, as well as former coach Tracey Patterson.

However, if tactics have to go out the window the challenger is more than willing to trade on heart.

“I will box how I am told as I trust Packie, but we can change it up if need be.”

“If it comes to it I am going to have to try bully him and try use passion, heart and desire to get the job done and become World champion.”

Russell Jr, who makes his first defence of his title tonight, is deemed a quality operator, indeed Collins believes he is in one of the top 20 operators in the World, however he isn’t as high profile as other champions at the weight.

Carl Frampton target Leo Santa Cruz and Vasyl Lomachenko, who beat Russell Jr, are slightly more high profile than the American, but Hyland doesn’t think there is much between them talent wise.

“Some say he isn’t the best of the featherweight champions, but I am not sure about that. For one how easy it to fight a southpaw. My only defeat came against a southpaw. He is a different fighter, I don’t think he will hit as hard as Fortuna, but he has better hand speed and he is a quality operator.”