Cork boxer Tommy Hyde goes the distance for the first time, but remains unbeaten after outclassing his opponent on all three judges scorecards

Tommy (the Governor) Hyde remains undefeated in his professional boxing career (12-0) after his hard earned unanimous points victory against Brazilian fighter Marcos Rodrigues in a light heavyweight bout at Centre de Tecnificacion Deportiva Villarreal in Spain in the early hours of last Sunday morning.

This definitely was Hyde’s most difficult fight to date.

His opponent Rodrigues took him to into a territory where he had never been before as a professional boxer by going the distance over eight rounds. 

The Brazilian was very quick and was technically a very impressive operator, however, Hyde got the decision of all three judges 78-72, 78-72 and 79-73 and this fight will have given him loads of learning going forward.

The opening round was a cagey affair with both fighters trying to figure each other out. 

Tommy used his jab with good effect, however, he had to be careful as Rodrigues was a very slick with very quick hands. 

Hyde finished the round with a powerful right hook to the body that briefly stunned his opponent.

The Brazilian started the second round more aggressive and had Hyde on the back foot in the opening minute, however, Tommy soon got back behind his jab again and landed some beautiful combinations in a very tight round.

Hyde came out for the third round with a lot more purpose and he rocked Rodrigues with a flurry of good shots. He continued to walk his man down and set him up with a couple of overhead rights, but he got his chin tested in the latter stages of the round when Rodrigues landed flush with a powerful right hand.

The pattern of the fourth round didn’t change with both fighters have some success and working behind their jab. Hyde then left his hands go in the middle of the round and landed some telling punches that definitely caught the judges eye.

The Cork boxer showed great composure and never got frustrated in trying to get the knockout and that showed in the next two rounds. 

He kept Rodrigues at bay with some good shots to the body and head, however, the Brazilian was still very dangerous as every time he looked on top Rodrigues came back with some excellent combinations.

Tommy began the seventh round a lot more aggressive and had his opponent in trouble midway through the round as he landed a flurry of powerful shots, however, his gum shield fell out of his mouth and the fight was stopped, which stopped all his momentum.

In the final round, both fighters traded in the middle of the ring, but it was Hyde who landed the cleaner of the punches and done enough to convince all three judges in his favour.

“I’m happy with my performance, as I thought I boxed very well and I felt very comfortable in there,” Tommy said.

“My jab was working very good tonight and it was my main weapon in the fight. I have to give a lot of credit to my opponent who gave me a great fight and took me to eight rounds for the first time in my professional career.

“This was a great fight for my development, one that I learned a lot from and will help me grow as a fighter.

“It’s another win in the books, another step up the ladder and we’ll move on to the next one now,” Hyde added.