Paul Hyland Jr to face former English title challenger on Sky Sports show

Paul Hyland [14(5)-0] will be given a stiff test when he presents his signature crowd-pleasing style to the Sky Sports cameras next month..

The Belfast fan favourite features on the inaugural card of the Matchroom NXTGEN series on Friday March 17th at the York Hall in London.

Here he will face tough Englishman Peter Cope [14(0)-3(1)] over eight rounds.

The Hartlepool southpaw is a former BBBoC Northern Area champion and lost on points in an English title fightwith hot prospect Mitchell Smith, as well as being stopped in the fourth by British title challenger Andy Townend

It is a career-best test for the Lagmore lightweight, and an impressive win on St Patrick’s Day could open plenty of doors for him

Also set to feature on the bill in Bethnal Greene are Reece Bellotti, who takes on Dai Davies, and Alan Higgins, who defends his BBBoC Southern Area title against Craig Richards, while there are also appearances for Isaac Chamberlain, Danny Dignum, Jake Ball, and Felix Cash.

The card will be streamed live via Facebook, with the three top fights also being shown live on Sky Sports.