On St. Patrick's Day weekend, the boxing scene turns its eyes to the Fox Theater in Redwood City, California, for an intriguing super middleweight clash. Irish prospect Tommy “The Governor” Hyde (7-0, 4 KOs) is set to face Craig “BTL” McCarthy (10-1-1, 2 KOs). This eight-round main event, presented by Westside Promotions, promises to be a highlight of the celebrations, drawing Irish boxing fans into a fervent atmosphere.
Hyde, a 24-year-old fighter from Cork, is no stranger to the United States, having joined a lineage of Irish boxers who have sought to carve out their legacy on American soil. Under the tutelage of head trainer Pedro Neme in Santa Monica, California, Hyde has dedicated himself to a rigorous six-week training camp in preparation for the bout against McCarthy, a formidable southpaw known for his fitness and combative style.
Reflecting on his journey, Hyde recalls his extensive amateur career, which includes over 100 matches, appearances in the quarterfinals of the World Junior Championships, three Irish National Championships, three Celtic Cup titles, and the 2019 Haringey Box Cup victory. These achievements have set the stage for a promising professional trajectory.
Hyde’s aspirations in the professional ranks are clear. After successfully navigating his first year with seven six-rounders, Hyde is stepping up to fight for titles in eight-round matches, with plans to progress to 10-round contests by year's end. The strategy is ambitious: to accumulate titles and notable victories while remaining active, with bouts planned in Boston, San Francisco, and his hometown of Cork.
Fight card:
▪️Tommy Hyde vs. Craig McCarthy, 8 rounds, for the Boxing Union of Ireland Celtic super middleweight title ▪️Petr Khamukov vs. Vaughn Alexander, 8 rounds, middleweight ▪️Manuel Jaimes vs. Belmar Preciado, 8 rounds, lightweight ▪️Vic Pasillas vs. Jorge Villegas, 6 rounds, featherweight ▪️Jett Blackwell vs. Ricardo Aguero, 4 rounds, heavyweight ▪️Brandon McCarthy vs. David Minter, 4 rounds, super lightweight
