PATRICK HYLAND WON’T predict a riot but insists that he is out to shock a hostile Leeds crowd when he takes on WBC International featherweight champion Josh Warrington in his hometown tonight.
The Dubliner returns to the ring at the First Direct Arena for the first time since his crushing world-title fight loss to American Gary Russell Jr last April, with tonight’s bout topping a Sky Sports TV bill.
Hyland won’t be eligible to claim Warrington’s belt should he win tonight after the Dubliner failed to make the 126lbs weight limit yesterday. The Tallaght man weighed in 2lb 6oz over the featherweight limit but the bout will go ahead as a non-title fight.
But Hyland is confident of causing an upset in front of a packed crowd that has adopted the Kaiser Chiefs’ hit as their regular war cry.
“If I knock Josh out in the first round I hope they don’t kick off because I know they love that aul song, ‘I Predict a Riot’,” joked Hyland in advance of tonight’s showdown.
“I’ve never experienced walking out in front of a crowd like that. I’m sure they’ll be all booing me and hurling abuse but both [sets of] fans are going to be mixing in with each other and I hope they all have a good night and enjoy the fight.”
The build-up to the bout has for the most part been a cordial affair, with Hyland attempting to add some good-natured spice to the proceedings on the back of the significant support Warrington enjoys from Leeds United football fans.
“He’s from Leeds and he’s a Leeds United fan; I’m from Ireland but I’m a Man United fan and that adds a little bit to it,” said Hyland.
“We’ve had respect for each other throughout the whole build-up, but we’ll kill each other for 12 rounds or whatever way it goes. Then we’ll go for a pint and we’ll see where we both go from there,” added Hyland, whose late father and trainer Paddy was ironically a Leeds fan.
Paschal Collins, brother of world champion Steve and head of Corduff’s burgeoning Celtic Warriors Gym, has been training Hyland since Paddy’s death last year.
Tallaght native Hyland was forced to take a break from combat training, however, after his one-sided stoppage defeat to the classy Russell, but he insisted that he was quick to get back into shape when preparing for Warrington.
“It took me about a week of training to get my fitness and sharpness back to where I was, but once that happened it was grand and it’s just been about keeping the weight down,” said Hyland.
A win could set up another title shot as Warrington is ranked at No 1 in the world by the WBC – although tonight’s winner appears more likely to chase a shot at IBF world champion Lee Selby of Wales – but a loss would raise questions about Hyland’s ring future.
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