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'117-110 was a disgrace. I thought Ormond won': Hearn wants rematch after Hyland decision

Paul Hyland Jr won a contentious points decision over Stephen Ormond in an enthralling all-Irish affair in Belfast.

EDDIE HEARN AGREES with the consensus that Dublin’s Stephen ‘The Rock’ Ormond was on the wrong end of some grotty judging during his contentious points defeat to Belfast’s Paul Hyland Jr on Saturday night, and believes Ormond is more than deserving of a rematch.

The co-main event to Ryan Burnett’s historic world title unification victory over former gym-mate Zhanat Zhakiyanov of Kazakhstan, the feverishly anticipated all-Irish clash certainly lived up to its billing.

Hyland sat Ormond on the seat of his trunks with a pinpoint counter-right hand in the third round, hurting the 34-year-old Dub badly, but appeared second-best for most of the contest as the Clondalkin veteran rolled back the years and largely outworked his 27-year-old foe.

Conspicuously emotional following the bout, and clearly coming to terms with what might have been a first career defeat, Hyland was eventually awarded a split-decision victory on scores of 112-115, 114-113 and a frankly ludicrous 117-110.

“Definitely,” was promoter Eddie Hearn’s response when asked if he’d consider putting the fight on again. “I thought it was a brilliant fight. I thought Ormond won it by one or two rounds, something like that.

“I thought 117-110 was a disgrace, and actually that woman was judging the main event. I think her card was better in the main event – 118-110.

“I felt like, after eight rounds, Hyland was winning comfortably, and then he just stopped working. It was just Ormond’s work-rate. What he [Hyland] showed was that he’s got a very good chin, he’s got plenty of heart, he can punch – because he had him nearly gone.

He’s very exciting, but I’d like to make sure Ormond gets another opportunity, because he was fighting for his career tonight. Even if he didn’t deserve to get the win, he deserves to still be in big fights, because he was very exciting. Very exciting.

Indeed, Hearn told the gathered media that he had said as much to Hyland himself following the contest, as well as the Belfast man’s promoter.

The Matchroom director added that even should Hyland and team not wish to rematch Ormond immediately, it might be in ‘Hylo’s best interests to exorcise any perceived uncertainty from Saturday before progressing with his career.

“I mean, he gave it everything,” Hearn said.

And I told Mark Dunlop and Paul Hyland – I don’t think they really appreciated it, but – I had Ormond just winning the fight, just the last couple of rounds.

“Don’t forget, that was a big test for Hyland tonight. When Mark Dunlop and we all made that fight, I was thinking: ‘bloody hell – he’s a handful, that Ormond.’

“And he was fired up for that fight. I mean, blimey, he didn’t stop, did he? But yeah, I thought he deserved it. I’d love to do it again.

I’m not sure Hyland and Mark will be rushing for it, but they may have to, because most people felt Ormond won. So if I was Hyland, I’d think: ‘I’m going to improve from that. If I can’t beat Ormond, then I’m not really going to go much [further].

Hearn added: “You’ve got Lewis Ritson – that’s a really good fight with Hyland as well. But I think when a fight like that [Hyland-Ormond] happens, and probably 80% think Ormond won, it’s probably best to go and…[do a rematch].

“I think he [Hyland] can beat him next time around with more experience.”

Ormond’s record falls to 24-5 (13KOs) following Saturday night’s enthralling contest, while Hyland improves to 17-0(6KOs).

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