Irish title double header this Saturday by Steve Wellings Apr 18th 2008

There's an Irish title double header at the National Stadium, Dublin on Saturday as Eddie and Patrick Hyland co-headline. Third brother Paul also features in this family affair, which sees Eddie put friendship aside to battle former amateur teammate Kevin O'Hara for the national super-featherweight title. Patrick meets Paul Griffin for the same title, one weight lighter at featherweight in this eight fight bill. Eddie Hyland recently claimed he was ready for the step-up in class and has had some interesting contests already as a novice pro, following a successful amateur career. A brawl with Robin Deakin in Belfast last year excited the crowd as did a shutout of Wladimir Borov across the border, in which he dropped the journeyman twice with swiping left hooks. O'Hara on the other hand, fights out of John Breen's Belfast gym and holds a 13-3 (3 KO's) slate with a losing effort to Henry Castle coming in his last fight. O'Hara signed a deal with Frank Maloney recently as he looks to reignite his career and it is hard to see where he goes next if he loses this one. O'Hara's other two losses are in good company and both over the distance, versus Willie Limond (l pts 10, 2005) and Choi Tseveenpurev (l pts 8, 2004), proving he has the edge in experience. It's likely to go down to the wire with the younger, busier Eddie Hyland snatching a close point's verdict. Patrick Hyland puts his unbeaten record on the line against a man related to him! His cousin Paul Griffin is originally from Dublin but now based in Sydney, Australia where the 36 year-old has built a 24-3 (8 KO's) record. Griffin was stopped in nine rounds for a bauble title back in 1998 by Dean Pithie in Telford Ice Rink and has since lost to Buster Dennis in the York Hall and Jackson Asiku down under. Even though Griffin carries vital experience, Hyland is the man on the rise and has yet to taste defeat in ten starts. Southpaw Griffin can keep it narrow, but Hyland who has so far mixed only in moderate company, can take the step-up and win over the distance. Paul Hyland has recently relocated to New York but has done most of his work in the British Isles or the Republic and he gets Ghanaian import Ayitteh Mettle in a super-bantamweight 8x3's. Mettle's record is not very flattering but he went six rounds with Jamie Arthur last time and has negotiated various distances with Commonwealth champion Anyetei Laryea on two occasions. Hyland's record is 9-0 (4 KO's) and he has enough ability to win this one handily. Crowd pleasing cruiserweight Jon O'Brien is fresh from an appearance stateside and he limbers up with another African, in the form of Moses Matovu. Unbeaten heavyweight hope Declan Timlin based in Galway, gets Romanian Mircea Telecan who has fought (but never won) in good company and was once removed in the first by Herbie Hide. Amateur standout Ian Tims participates in his second professional outing against debutant Mirica Edvardo while Belfast bantamweight Luke Wilton meets ubiquitous journeyman Delroy Spencer in the show opener. Prospect Gary O'Sullivan has his third bout against Huddersfield's Tye Williams at light-middleweight. O'Sullivan stopped survivor Peter Dunn on his debut and recorded a one round stoppage in America recently, so looks one to watch. Destination Events, Paddy Hyland and Pat Ryan promote this one, curiously named: “Battle of the Liberties”. Ringside report to follow. Note from Irish journalist Gerry Callan - Steve, The Liberties is an area in Dublin from which both the Griffin and Hyland families originally come. Griffin's father, Tommy, still lives there. Best wishes, Gerry.

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