Patrick Hyland (25-0, 11 KOs) is hoping for an impressive victory this Saturday night when he takes on Frankie Archuleta (27-9-1, 14 KOs) at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie in a contest scheduled for ten rounds.
The Irish Voice caught up with the Tallaght, Co. Dublin native to find out how he is faring in the final days before the fight.
"I'm feeling super and I am buzzing. I can't wait for the fight," said Hyland on Monday. "Training camp went great, and I got some great sparring with Luis Rodriguez and Chazz McDowell."
This is Hyland’s second full camp since his move to the U.S., and he and trainer Tracy Patterson have been working hard on the fundamentals.
"We've been working on my defense, my counter-punching and my combinations," added Hyland, who went on to say that his work with strength and conditioning coach Dominic Tominelli has left him in excellent shape.
Archuleta, 36, defeated Johnny Tapia in 2005 and lost to Hyland’s last opponent, Emanuel Lucero, in 2002. During his 15-year-career he has fought some top professionals, but he is 2-4 in his last six fights.
He was last in action in November when he lost by TKO in round two to Daud Cino Yordan in Western Australia. Hyland is certainly not taking him lightly.
"I am expecting a cagey, crafty veteran who will be all out to cause an upset on the night," he said.
Hyland left his family and friends last year to come to America to pursue his dream of becoming a world champion. The Irish champion knows he must win and win well to keep his name in the mix as a prospective world title challenger.
"I need to put on a good display of boxing, and I need to win in a good way to show that I belong at the top of the 126 pound division," he said.
Patterson feels like his fighter has improved since his move to America and that he is close to his goal of challenging for a belt.
“Although he came here well-established, he still needed work on his defense and movement. Now, he's the full package,” said Patterson recently.
"Patrick's not far from a world title shot. He just hasn't been given an opportunity, yet, to step into the ring with an opponent who can get him in position for a world title shot. He's at the door now.”
As usual, Hyland will have his father, Paddy Hyland, Sr., who arrived in the U.S. on Monday afternoon, as second in his corner with Patterson.
Though it will be the first time in 10 outings that Patrick is not fighting on the same card with at least one of his brothers, Eddie Hyland will travel over to support his sibling this weekend. Brian Peters, who manages Patrick, will also be traveling over from Ireland to attend the fight.
Tickets for the fight are available at Ticketmaster. For those unable to get to Poughkeepsie this weekend, the fight will be streaming online at www.ustream.tv/bslive for $15.00.
Hyland has this message for his supporters ahead of this weekend's fight.
“Fans can expect another win from the Punisher! I am looking forward to moving to 26-0 and extending the longest unbeaten run of any current Irish fighter. And whether you are there on the night or watching online, get ready for a good fight."
In other news, the Sun Bowl in El Paso was confirmed as the venue for the Andy Lee/Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. middleweight fight on June 16. Top Rank CEO and founder Bob Arum announced on Friday that the fight would indeed take place at the stadium, which is located at the University of Texas at El Paso campus.
"Top Rank is dedicating this great event to the citizens of El Paso who helped us make this event possible, UTEP and for boxing in demanding that the Chavez vs. Lee championship bout take place at Sun Bowl Stadium," he said.
Tickets for the fight are available at Ticketmaster.
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