Tommy Hyde left his mark at the Fox Theater in Redwood City, California, seizing his first professional title. The Cork native, aged 24, overcame Craig McCarthy, the defending champion, snatching the Boxing Union of Ireland Celtic Super Middleweight Champion belt in a dramatic fifth-round conclusion during an event orchestrated by Westside Promotions.
Hyde, bubbling with triumph, remarked, “Securing a win is sweet, but clinching a title along the way and carting it back home? That’s the cherry on top. I’m chuffed with how I performed; not a single punch wasted and I stood my ground dominantly.”
He added with a twinkle, “Tussling in San Francisco was a blast. Made pals, won hearts, and I’m all in for an encore.”
From the get-go, Hyde was in his element, setting the pace in the initial round and dictating the fight with his astute counterattacks. McCarthy found himself in a tight spot, hitting the canvas in the second round. Hyde relentlessly hammered his resilient adversary, nearly ending the fight in rounds three and four, until the referee, David Irvine, decisively stepped in 30 seconds into the fifth round.
Hyde, reflecting on his victory, shared, “This might just be my crowning fight to date. I squared off against a formidable foe and emerged decidedly victorious. The grueling training paid off, shining bright under the spotlight.”
Hyde, a storied Irish amateur with over a hundred bouts, a quarterfinal appearance at the 2015 World Junior Championships, three Irish National Championships, three Celtic Cup titles, and the 2019 Haringey Box Cup under his belt, is no stranger to the ring.
His father, Gary Hyde, an international boxing manager, expressed his pride, stating, “Tommy’s tactical prowess and relentless assault were a sight to behold on Saturday night. His intelligent approach led him to a victorious end in the early fifth round. As Ireland’s top super middleweight, it’s up to the Boxing Union of Ireland to chart his next battle for the vacant Irish Super Middleweight title.”
Hyde, now the proud owner of the Celtic belt, eyes further glory in 2024, aspiring to expand his trophy collection. “Bagging the Celtic title not only feels grand but also lines me up for the Irish title – a belt I’m keen to wrap around my waist,” Hyde concluded, setting his sights on future conquests.