Jamie Moore: Hyland v Russell Jr is irrelevant to Warrington clash

Former Irish champion Jamie Moore has warned Josh Warrington against reading anything into Patrick Hyland’s defeat to Gary Russell Jr.

Hyland faces the Leeds fan-favourite in the First Direct Arena on busy night for Irish boxing at the end of this month, and believes his calls to fight the former Commonwealth, British and European champ were only answered because he got stopped last time out in a World title fight with Gary Russell Jr in April.

Moore, now a Sky Sports pundit, has warned Warrington, a fighter he knows well through their mutual connection to Steve Wood, against making any judgement based on the Russell Jr clash.

Indeed Moore, who fought on the same card as Hyland in the National Basketball Arena when he claimed the Irish title against Ciaran Healy, says Warrington shouldn’t even watch the WBC World title fight.

“Gary Russell Jr is a phenomenal talent so to lose to him even in the fashion Hyland did there is no shame in  that at all,” the former light middleweight crowd-pleaser told Sky Sports.

“I really think you should discard that fight. Josh Warrington should not look at that in any way shape or form and think this could be an easy nights work.”

“Quite the opposite, I really think this could be a tough night’s work.”

Moore didn’t quite predict a winner, but did predict a good fight on July 30th saying that “I think Patrick Hyland’s style and Josh Warrington’s style should blend to make a terrific fight.”

“Neither are big punchers but both of put in a terrific amount of work. I think this will be a great fight.”