Florida-based Connor “The Kid” Coyle makes the third defense of his North American Boxing Association [NABA] middleweight belt on Aug. 19 against the hard-hitting Joey Bryant at The Blind Tiger in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Ranked #5 in the world by the World Boxing Association, the undefeated Coyle [19-0, 8 KOs] is hoping to do the business against the once-beaten Bryant [17-1, 13 KOs] and continue his march to a world title.
“We got the call to take this fight in Biloxi, so we accepted and made it a title fight, the Derryman, who’s 33, told the Echo. “Then we’re looking to finish the year off with something big [a] world title eliminator or something along those lines.”
Apart from his impressive knock out power that has yielded 13 stoppages in those 17 victories, Coyle doesn’t know much about Bryant, a native of Memphis, Tennessee.
“I couldn't find anything about him,” he said “All I know is just I'll get myself best prepared as I can -- as I usually do for all my fights. I'll make sure all my hard work is done in the gym and be prepared for whatever this guy decides to bring on the night.
“My fitness levels, my power and speed, everything's there and I still have another three weeks to improve even more, so I will be in top physical and mental shape.”
Connor Coyle.
“I’m excited for this fight and Connor will be sharp against a very hungry fighter in Joey Bryant,” said Coyle’s promoter Jody Caliguire of Fire Fist Boxing Promotions. “Connor has been training extremely hard with [trainer and manager] Jim McLoughlin. This is the biggest fight of Bryant’s career, so we’re expecting a good challenge.”
Coyle-Bryant headlines a card co-promoted by Rite Hook Promotions, T&K Boxing Promotions and Tri-Star Boxing Promotions.
Training out of Pinellas Park, FL, Coyle is coming off a 10-round shutout of veteran Christian Rios last April in defense of the NABA belt.
HYDE FOE NAMED
Tommy “The Governor” Hyde will face the seasoned Robert Talarek [27-20-3, 18 KOs] in a six-round light heavyweight bout on the Aug. 11 “Veterans Stadium Showcase” in Quincy, Massachusetts.
From Cork, Hyde [5-0, 3 KOs] is one of three Irish fighters on the Granite Chin Promotions (GCP) outdoor card at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Thomas “The Kid” O’Toole and Francis “Frank the Tank” Hogan are the other two.
O’Toole [7-0, 5 KOs] meets Massachusetts state champion Scott “Scottie Bombz” Lampert (5-8, 4 KOs) over six rounds for the vacant United States Boxing Federation (USBF) cruiserweight title. Meanwhile, Hogan, an unbeaten [14-0] middleweight prospect with Donegal roots, goes up against Argentine Miguel “El Pirado” Angel Suarez in an eight-rounder.
“MIGHTY CELT”
Tyrone McKenna, the towering 6-foot-one welterweight nicknamed “The Mighty Celt,” gets a crack at the IBO world title when he meets undefeated Italian champion Nicholas “The Good Boy” Esposito on a Conlan Boxing show in Dublin on Sept. 16.
Both fighters will be coming off long layoffs. McKenna [23-3-1, 6 KOs] last fought in August 2022, in that war with Welshman Chris Jenkins at the SSE Arena won by the Belfastman. The previous month, Esposito had pointed compatriot Alessio Mastronunzio.
McKenna is hoping to become the latest Irish fighter to capture an IBO title. Recent winners include super welterweight Dennis Hogan, super featherweight Anthony Cacace and light heavyweight Padraig McCrory.
