BoxRec

MTK Global won the purse bids for the right to promote the British lightweight title fight between Paul Hyland Jr [20(7)-2(2)] and Liam Walsh[23(15)-1(1)].

The BBBofC last month mandated the pair fight to fight for the same Lonsdale belt managerial stablemate James Tennyson defeated Gavin Gwynne to win on a Fight Camp card in August.

MTK, who manage Walsh and MHD Promotions, who look after the career of Hyland had until this week to reach an agreement or the fight would go to purse bids. https://vidmate.onl/

It appears negotiations hit a road block and purse bids were lodged today and MTK registered the winning amount.

There was talk Mark Dunlop had hoped to win the purse bid and put Hyland top of his proposed March 13 fight card.

Although having previously signed the Belfast fighter to a two fight deal and signing him to fight Terry Flanagan in Belfast in April, before the pandemic hit, it appears MTK see Hyland’s Belfast value.

They may use the fight to add serious weight to a Belfast return, if that becomes possible next year, meaning the former British and European title challenger may still have get home advantage.

Walsh hasn’t fought since November of last year when he defeated Maxi Hughes for the WBO European ranking title.

One of three boxing brothers, he is a former super featherweight British and Commonwealth champion. The 34-year-old’s only defeat has come against Gervonta Davis, who fights Leo Santa Cruz at the end of this month.

Interestingly Walsh’s brother Ryan defeated James Tennyson for the British featherweight title in April of 2016.

Hyland has British lightweight title previous, the Belfast fighter challenged Lewis Ritson for the strap in the summer of 2018, but was stopped by the Newcastle native.

The entertaining MHD fighter also recently challenged for the EBU European title coming out second best to Belgian Francesco Patera last winter.

Liam Walsh is criminally overlooked and ignored...

stujones wrote: ↑29 Dec 2020, 17:06 Liam Walsh is criminally overlooked and ignored...

Yeah took a hiding off Davis and then seemed to get forgotten about. Davis is an elite fighter so no shame there. His last outing he beat a very good fighter in Hughes and that was over a year ago

stujones wrote: ↑29 Dec 2020, 17:06 Liam Walsh is criminally overlooked and ignored...

I mean, he hasn't been doing much at all since Davis beat him, not much reason for people to have been paying that much attention to him

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑30 Dec 2020, 05:04

stujones wrote: ↑29 Dec 2020, 17:06 Liam Walsh is criminally overlooked and ignored...

I mean, he hasn't been doing much at all since Davis beat him, not much reason for people to have been paying that much attention to him

FW just seemed to forget about him. Strange as whilst he might not be world class he could still be in some really good, competitive fights.

How has Hyland got a shot at the British title?

never really rated jr wanted to saw a lot of his early fights just lacks something . his win over a finished ormond then a lost in a european fight , i know walsh lost to davis a world champion but he came back beat Maxi Hughes whos is better than just a tough lad , i like all the walsh brothers there is a toughness to them , i think liam will win this iam going ko

ya liam should win this

Old bones Ian wrote: ↑30 Dec 2020, 10:17 How has Hyland got a shot at the British title?

There are a few fighters who should be above him in the rankings like Alfie Price, Sean McComb, Mark Chamberlain and Aqib Fiaz.

Press Release

Liam Walsh’s planned vacant British lightweight title fight with Paul Hyland Jnr has unfortunately been postponed after Walsh tested positive for COVID-19. A new date for that fight, along with the European bantamweight title fight between Karim Guerfi and Lee McGregor, will be announced in due course.

The two Dubai events set to take place in March and April are currently scheduled to go ahead as planned.

MTK Global Promoter Lee Eaton said: “It’s a shame that next Saturday’s event in Dubai is unable to take place due to the current travel restrictions, but we have worked hard behind the scenes over the last few days to ensure the majority of the fighters on that card haven’t had to wait long for their fights to be rescheduled.

“It means that Sean McComb, Gavin Gwynne, Mark McKeown, Brad Daws, Pierce O’Leary and Irvin Magno have had to wait less than two weeks for their new date, so we’re delighted to be adding even more starpower to what was an already stacked MTK Fight Night on February 19.

“We’re hoping to get Karim Guerfi vs. Lee McGregor, and Liam Walsh vs. Paul Hyland Jnr rescheduled as soon as possible, so boxing fans won’t have to wait long to see those two fantastic fights.”