Fagan Vs Hyland

I did the ringwalk for Oisin in his fight for the super featherweight IBF International title in the Tallaght Basketball Arena on Saturday night.
I have to say it was a thriller of a brawl. You will be waiting a long time before you see a better bout in an Irish ring.

Oisin gave it his all and lost (another) controversial decision. The Judges gave it so wide to Hyland it was beyond belief and although you could not have complained if either man was hailed the victor it was gut-wrenching to be in with the Fagan camp when the 118-111 116-112 and 118-110 in favour of Hyland. Most of the journalists ringside had it as a draw or a more realistic 115-113 to Hyland, who may have just looked the busier in the middle rounds to sway it as Oisin's eye jammed shut.

Oisin was the aggressor for the whole night and forced proceedings as Hyland appeared to wilt in the last round, He landed countless head and body shots in an attempt to force a stoppage. The entire arena got to their fight to applaud was being lauded as the Irish version of Gatti-Ward.

The Amercians who were in attendance were equally impressed and the immediate talk was of a rematch, and a rematch on an American TV Network, both fighters have already said they would do it again if the money was right and trust me, if you had paid to see them on Saturday you would have gotten your money's worth.

I don't know what comes next for Oisin, I said to him after the fight if he didn't have bad luck he would have no luck at all. The journalists have gone on record to show he has lost highly controversial decisions to Paul Spadafora and Vernon Kimborough and then there was the Khan legbreak heartbreak and most felt he was capable of taking the title on Saturday but at 35 he is clearly going to be contemplating his next move.

I said to him he should continue, he has not taken any real hidings and although he lacks skill and ring craft due to his forced late start in to the sport he really is an exciting fighter and against the right opponents can get another few paydays before calling it quits.

The fight is going to be shown on Setanta Ireland for the next two nights @ 10 p.m so make sure to catch it