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Home » EXCLUSIVE: Paul Hyland Jr. vows to spoil Lewis Ritson’s homecoming

EXCLUSIVE: Paul Hyland Jr. vows to spoil Lewis Ritson’s homecoming

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Hyland Jr. is currently 18-0 in the paid ranks and he will square off against home favourite and defending British lightweight champion Ritson (15-0), who is looking to keep his Lonsdale belt for good.

Ritson is riding the crest of a wave since exploding onto the scene with a brutal victory over Robbie Barrett to win the belt and subsequently made light work of his two challengers to date – stopping Joe Murray and Scott Cardle in one and two rounds respectively.

Hyland Jr. himself comes in an undefeated fighter and is confident of upsetting the applecart and defeating Ritson, he exclusively told World Boxing News: “I’m big time excited I’m a fighter and this is what I do, I want to fight the best.

“The greats fight the greats and that’s how they are remembered and he’s one of the best British lightweights at the minute and I’ve got the chance to take his belt off him and I’m buzzing for it.”

Ritson’s recent explosive form has seen him installed as a hot favourite to retain his belt and continue his meteoric rise up the ladder but Hyland has other ideas.

“He has stopped everyone he’s had in front of him early, he’s like a steam train isn’t he? I’ve had a couple of tough fights recently, I fought against Steven Ormond and he’s world level and I fought the last round with a broken jaw.

“He’s going to have to knock me out, I’ll be there for the 12 rounds because I think I have a good chin. I believe I have a good chance.”

Hyland will not only have to face off against an unbeaten young hungry champion, but what is set to be huge support in Ritson’s hometown, but that doesn’t worry the popular Irishman.

“This fights been in the picture for a while, before he got the Barrett fight there was talk about me fighting Barrett.

“So I’ve known that it might happen and as soon as it got announced lots of people starting booking flights, everywhere I go I bring a great crowd.” Hyland Jr. stated.

Whilst the British belt is on the line, Hyland knows what a win could do for his career. “Whoever wins this will break into the world top 10 and be in contention for a world title shot.

“This is effectively an eliminator for a world title and what boxer doesn’t want to win a world title,” Hyland concluded.

Thomas Davison is a staff writer for World Boxing News. Follow Thomas on Twitter @thomasdavison93