Sport

Paul Hyland and James Tennyson star on action-paced undercard as Ryan Burnett prepares for SEE Arena showdown with Zhanat Zhakiyanov

Tyrone McKenna and Renald Garrido get acquainted before their fight tonight
Tyrone McKenna and Renald Garrido get acquainted before their fight tonight Tyrone McKenna and Renald Garrido get acquainted before their fight tonight

SSE Arena bill

IBF European Lightweight title: Paul Hyland jnr (16-0) v Stephen Ormond (24-4)

HYLAND always gives the fans good value for their money and he has upped his training for this all-Ireland battle with Dubliner Ormond.

34-year-old Ormond is rough and tough but at this stage of his career he’s likely to find it difficult to cope with Hyland’s dynamic style. Belfast fighter ‘Hylo’ goes into the fight full of confidence.

“He has fought at world level and for this camp I have done extra work, I’ve done some new programmes in training and I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

“I know he’s going to be in my face, he’s a tough opponent and he’s going to be there to win. I’m expecting him to be in my face, but I’m confident of beating him.”

Prediction: Hyland

Light-welterweight: Tyrone McKenna (14-0-1) v Renald Garrido (19-16-2)

FRENCH showman Garrido is tough and comes to win, but he added a bit of light entertainment to the pre-fight press conference.

Speaking through an interpreter, he explained: “I’m glad to have an opponent as talented as McKenna and I’m delighted to face a great guy who smiles as much as me and I’ll be proud if I take the victory. May the best man win, long live boxing and long live moustaches.”

McKenna enjoyed the banter and the rangy southpaw – who was originally scheduled to meet Tommy Coyle – should have too much for Garrido tonight.

“He’s very similar to Tommy Coyle, he comes forward and throws a lot of punches,” he said.

“I’ve been training for the last 10 weeks for this style of fight, so I’m going to execute the gameplan.”

Prediction: McKenna

WBA International super-featherweight title: James Tennyson (19-2) v Darren Traynor (14-1)

WIN or lose, you are guaranteed action with Tennyson who has only heard the final bell three times in his 21-fight career.

He built on his eye-catching win again Declan Geraghty – he put him down with both hands – to take the Irish title back in March by stopping Ryan Doyle to win his WBA belt in June.

Both fighters have lost to Ryan Walsh in the past, but Traynor comes to win tonight.

“We both like going forward, we both like a tear-up and it’s going to be a really good fight for the fans,” said the Aberdeen native.

“I’m really looking forward to it but it’s going to be a really tough fight. I have to go in and do my best to win.”

However, Belfast Kronk fighter Tennyson is confident he’ll hold on to his title.

“He’s a real tough opponent and he’s coming to win, he’s confident.

“I’m going to have to fight hard and fight smart to win. He believes he’s coming to Belfast to cause an upset but he’s mistaken.”

Prediction: Tennyson

Welterweight: Josh Kelly (3-0) v Jose Luis Zuniga (13-2-1)

EUROPEAN bronze medallist Kelly hasn’t seen action since June but Eddie Hearn predicts he’ll have a “very busy second part of the year” starting tonight against Mexican Zuniga.

“I can’t wait to impress,” said Kelly, a stablemate of show-topper Burnett.

Prediction: Kelly

Light-middleweight: Anthony Fowler (3-0) v Laszlo Fazekas (31-27-1)

A COUPLE of weeks since his third career win against Dubliner Jay Byrne, Liverpudlian Fowler has come to Belfast to showcase his skills for Irish fight fans.

“I want to move fast,” he said.

“I love the Irish, I love the attitude of the fighting Irish and I want to show you all what I’m about on Saturday night. I come to fight, I come to entertain and I’m looking forward to it.”

Prediction: Fowler

Cruiserweight: Tommy McCarthy (9-1) v Peter Hegyes (8-16)

McCARTHY was on the verge of a British title shot when he unexpectedly lost to Matty Askin in November last year. Since then he has signed with MTK and hopes to reignite his career against 39-year-old Hungarian Hegyes.

“A year ago, before the Askin fight, I felt like I was leading the charge in the division and everything was going right.

“But after I lost my career has kind of been on hold. I’ve been in a training camp for 11 months and I’m glad to get back into competitive action. I can’t wait to get in the ring.”

Prediction: McCarthy

Super-featherweight: Feargal McCrory (6-0) v Callum Busuttil (2-0)

COALISLAND’S McCrory takes on Welsh stand-in Busuttil who stepped in at short notice after Troy James’ withdrawal.

“He’s very tough and he comes forward and fights,” said McCrory of the former Wales amateur star.

“I come forward and I fight, so may the best man win.”

Prediction: McCrory

Lightweight: Joe Fitzpatrick (7-0) v Mwenya Chisanga (1-1)

FORMER Immaculata ABC star Fitzpatrick hasn’t fought since February and wants to get going again against Zambian rookie Chisanga.

“I can wait to get out,” said ‘The Dragon’.

“I’ve had a great camp, I’ve been training with all the boys in the stable so hopefully on Saturday night I get the win and look impressive.”

Prediction: Fitzpatrick

Lightweight: Gary Cully (1-0) v Josh Thorne (1-10-2)

NAAS prospect Cully returns to Belfast for his second outing and can expect four tough rounds against the durable Thorne.

Lightweight: David Oliver Joyce (3-0) v Andy Harris (3-52-1)

DOUBLE European gold medal winner Joyce takes another step up the professional ladder and should have no trouble getting past journeyman Harris, who hasn’t won any of his last 47 fights.