Paul Hyland spars Frenchman

22 March 2010 – By Steve Wellings

Irish super-bantamweight champion Paul Hyland flew out to Paris on March 22 to spar former European bantamweight king Malik Bouziane. Fresh from the finest win of his six-year career Paul is relishing his role as EU champion and hoping for a crack at the European title proper.

Im going over to spar Malik Bouziane in Paris because hes now gearing up for a world title shot, explained the 25-year-old.

Ill be over in France for a week and the experience will do no harm at all, especially coming off the back of a tough 12-rounder.

Bouziane was a solid European holder who has boiled down to super-flyweight for his world title challenge to tough South African Simphiwe Nongqayi. As he waits patiently for a chance, Paul is hoping not to get bogged down in EBU politics.

Im not sure if Rendall Munroe will defend his European super-bantamweight title against Jason Booth or whether he will go for the WBC eliminator. When thats resolved well hopefully get the phone call for a crack at the belt, but Ill keep ticking over until then.

So when can we expect to see the Tallaght native back in action?

Ive had a week off and Ill be ringing my manager soon to see what the story is, he said.

Id love to defend the EU title in Dublin, in front of my home fans.