Hyland ready to show his boxing skills after wrestling debut

IT wasn’t quite Hulk Hogan versus the Ultimate Warrior, but Zoltan Horvath was so intent on grappling that there was an element of Wrestle Mania to Paul Hyland Jr debut.

The pint sized Hungarian attempted to spoil from start to finish giving the young lightweight a frustrating introduction to the pro game.

To his credit, despite Horvath’s attempts to frustrate and survive, Hyland still managed to impress. He showed composure, an eye catching skill set and even hurt a fighter who has only been stopped once in 26 fights.

The 23 year old, who was happy to get a tough introduction to the pro game, believes his opponent in the Holiday Inn Friday night, Joe Beedon will also be defensive in nature, but is confident he will be able to show fight fans his capabilities in the ring.

Speaking to Irish-boxing.com Hyland said,

“My debut was a good tough fight and introduction to the pro game. Zoltan is a well known tough journey man and tried to rough it up on me and showed me the inside of the pro game from the start. I kept my cool and stuck to the boxing and stepped it up when I seen him hurt, but he held on a good bit and just kept trying to stop me from working on him.

“I’ve been told Joe beedon is a defensive boxer and tries to move more and get his shots off so this will give me a chance to show my boxing skills of more. I’ll treat every opponent and fight the same. I will keep to tight smart boxing and step it up when I need to as anything can happen in boxing,” he said before reflecting on what he learnt from his debut.

“Compared to the amateur game, where the ref usually breaks it up i noticed we had to work it out on our own. That’s when he tried to catch me with shots, when I was unaware, but I caught on quick enough and kept myself well protected at all times. It’s also a slower pace which suits me more, so I can sit down on my punches more and load them up.”

Hyland only made his pro bow on May 10 and fights for a second time just three weeks after. The Belfast lightweight is happy to keep busy and stresses he hasn’t stopped training between bouts.

“It feels great (to have fights in quick succession) the more fights I can get in and build myself up the rankings the better. I had good fitness for my debut and because this is soon after I haven’t stopped training, so the fitness is really good at the minute,” he added before stating he is confident of victory on an Alfredo Meli topped show Friday night.

“I’m always pretty confident before any fight. I always prepare to win so I will just stay calm and do what I do best. I’m confident I will get the win. I know Joe hasn’t been stopped so I will stick to the boxing and look to win every round and step it up if I seen him hurt. I just thank everyone who comes to support me the crowd helps drive you on. Also to anyone who can’t make it but have still got in contact and wished me all the best I am grateful for their support.”