Hyland ready to batter his friend by Steve Wellings Apr 16th 2008

Dublin livewire Eddie Hyland is prepared to swap friendship for business on Saturday 19th April as he clashes with old pal Kevin O'Hara in the capital city's National Stadium. Hyland is into his fourth year as a professional after a solid amateur career saw him collect four Irish titles and a multi-nations bronze, as well as mixing with top Americans and number one ranked opponents. During those amateur days Eddie travelled with team-mate O'Hara -a good boxer in his own right- meaning the two forged a mutual companionship. “We're friends through boxing after meeting and fighting in the amateurs, it was a tough fight and even though I won it could have gone either way,” recalls Hyland. “We became friends after that and were on the internationals, travelling all over the world together.” Since moving codes, Eddie has amassed an 8-1 (3 KO's) record with his sole loss coming at the fists of Steve Mullin in Liverpool during the summer of 2006. Wins over Daniel Thorpe, Robin Deakin and Wladimir Borov (knocking the Bulgarian down twice) have set Hyland back on the winning path and consequently he has been rewarded with a shot at the Irish super-featherweight title in his home city. “It's been a while since I was the main event on a show, even as an amateur I was always the main event but when you turn pro you have to build yourself up to that point. It's going to be a really exciting night for me and I'm up for it.” While O'Hara is a smooth boxing type, Hyland prefers to bulldoze his way in and mix it up despite describing himself as a conventional stylist. “I'm an in your face boxer and if you bring the fight to me I won't back away but I suppose you could say I am multi-talented and can box a bit as well; a fighter and boxer all in one.” Hyland continues, “My dad's my manager so he will tell me what's next if I win, I just want to keep moving forward in my career and after the Irish title I can hopefully move up to European level and maybe even the world title! I just have to take one step at a time and see what happens.” With brothers' Paul and Pat Jnr also getting big fight exposure, Hyland is looking forward to the show which has truly become a family affair and while he extends best wishes to his siblings, O'Hara is afforded no such accord. “In the boxing game you can have friends but the two of us will have to put that to one side on Saturday night. We will still be good friends afterwards and have a pint together but for me it will be pure business and I have my mind focused on winning this fight and moving on to bigger things.” And as if there was any doubt as to Hyland's intentions come fight night: “It's going to be a good night's boxing because me and O'Hara are going to kill each other for ten rounds!” An unfortunate image but made with the brimming enthusiasm of a prospect eager to impress the travelling contingent he always takes with him to bouts. “If I get the knockout that will be great but it will be a 50/50 call at the end of the day and whoever wins will be last man standing,” he adds. “The preparations couldn't have gone any better, everything's 100%. I'm fitter, stronger and faster than I've ever been in my life and I'm fully prepared without a doubt.” “It will definitely be a good exciting fight for the fans.”

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