by Alex McIntyre / Photo by Kevin Finn | Mon. Nov. 8, 2010

Willie "Big Bang" Casey won the vacant EBU European Super Bantamweight Championship Saturday evening, with a forth round technical knockout over fellow Irishman Paul Hyland.

The Limerick-based Casey (11-0, 7KO), took the fight to Hyland almost from the off, imposing his will on the more experienced Dublin man and forcing referee John Keane to stop the action two minutes, nine seconds into the round - with Hyland failing to answer a series of hard shots from Casey.

Billed as "Civil War", the first ever "All-Irish" European Title fight didn't fail to live up to expectations as a packed University Arena in Limerick were treated to an engaging albeit somewhat short contest. Choosing to stand and trade with the Limerick slugger, Hyland simply couldn't cope with the constant pressure applied by Casey and will now have to look at going back to the drawing board. 

Casey himself looks to be making giant strides under the tutelage of trainer Phil Sutcliff. Casey added great head movement and an improving defense to his all-action come forward style.

A keen observer at ringside was Spaniard Kiko Martinez, who had been scheduled as Casey's original opponent until a rib injury forced him to pull out of the bout just a few weeks ago. The man know as "La Sensación" has become a household name in Ireland. After destroying Bernard Dunne's championship dreams in little under 90 seconds in August 2007, Martinez proved to be so popular with Irish audiences that he has since returned to fight on Irish shores on no less than three occasions.

Speaking to Casey after the fight Kiko said, "It was a good fight but I'm the real champion. You've only borrowed the belt until February or March, whenever you fight me."

Casey was appreciative yet bullish in his reply, "I'm very grateful that Kiko gave up the belt for me and Paulie to fight for it, but as long as I have the belt - no one is taking it from me."

The stage is now set for what could be another great night to remember for Irish fight fans, as the two brawlers get set to square off in early 2011.