By Harvey Hudson
The road to boxing success is paved with obstacles, and Maxi Hughes knows this better than most.
His route to Las Vegas for what was already a daunting task against the unbeaten and heavy-handed Mexican William Zepeda in March was made even more complicated by a paperwork bungle that cost him precious time and added thousands of air miles as fight night approached.
Lightweight Hughes travelled from Doncaster to Sin City two weeks before his date with Zepeda, only to be sent straight back to the UK by Homeland Security agents who told him his ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) did not permit him to punch for pay in the US. It turned out they were wrong, but not before Hughes had flown back to London and then to Belfast for an appointment with the US Consulate and, once his right to fight was confirmed, back to the States again.
It all took the best part of a week, meaning Hughes had to kiss goodbye to acclimatisation and much of his final fight preparations. However, in a testament to his character outside the ring, which matches his battling reputation inside it, Hughes refused to give up and does not blame the situation for the defeat that followed.
โI could have used it as an excuse, and I could have pulled out of the fight,โ he says. โBut I chose to get in there to fight, so I feel like I canโt use it as an excuse. It would have been rescheduled, because it was a fight that was ordered by the WBA and the IBF. So, I was within my rights to pull out, but Iโd put so much into it.
โIt was my body that gave in. My mental state were good. I kept telling myself: โYouโll be all right, youโve got enough in your locker to beat Zepeda, this travel issue and all thatโs happened wonโt take it out of you.โ But it ended up doing that a bit.โ
The frustrations of the Zepeda build-up and fight were compounded by a feeling he might have taken a different journey altogether if not for the controversy in his previous contest.
In July 2023, Hughes lost a debatable decision to George Kambosos Jr in an IBF lightweight eliminator. Kambosos moved on to box Vasily Lomachenko for the IBF title on home territory in Australia. While Hughes is reluctant to make excuses for the Zepeda setback (l rtd 4), the Kambosos decision still doesnโt sit right with him โ especially with what might have been.
โIโm not saying I would beat Lomachenko, because heโs probably one of the best of this era,โ says Hughes. โIโd have just loved my opportunity. My goal was to box for one of the main four titles and that were it, that was my chance, and they took it away from a business point of view [in Hughesโ opinion] because they wanted to go to Australia.โย
Lomachenko went on to dominate Kambosos in May, stopping him in the 11th round in Perth. โIt was frustrating to watch George, because he didnโt belong in there and he had no chance of winning,โ says Hughes. โThat was clear; he just got filled in. Whereas I feel like, Iโm not saying I would have beat Lomachenko, but Iโve got better feet, I know how to box a southpaw, I can be cagey and tricky. I like to think I could have made it very difficult in there and had a better chance at it.โ
Back-to-back defeats, one controversial and one comprehensive, have not sapped Hughesโ desire, though. Boxing News asks him if he had considered, at 34, giving up on a career that now reads 26-7-2, 5 KOs. โI always knew Iโd carry on,โ he says. โDonโt get me wrong, it hurt, and it were tough, but it were not enough to make me wrap up.ย
โI still have my goals. Iโve stayed focused on fighting for one of the four main world titles, or just the bigger money fights. I know Iโm still a world-class fighter and Iโve got something to offer. I still feel like Iโm at my peak.ย
โIf I felt like I was slipping and wasnโt able to perform in training, Iโd like to think Iโd be open and honest with myself to go โyeah, your timeโs upโ. But because I still feel good, I thought thereโs money out there to be earned and thereโs no chance Iโm going back on building sites. Iโll stick to boxing for now.โย
Hughes is scheduled to box over six rounds in Sheffield on September 27, when he features on the GBM card at the Park Community Arena featuring Shakiel Thompson, Tysie Gallagher and Hughesโ stablemate Reece Mould.ย
โIโm happy to box anywhere, I donโt mind what card Iโm on,โ he says. โThe bit that is nice is its close to home in Yorkshire and I can get more people there.โ
With GBM one of the newer faces on the UK promotional scene, Boxing News asks if Hughesโ involvement is a one-off or part of a longer-term relationship.ย โI wonโt rule anything out,โ he says. โIโm grateful that Izzy [Asif, founder] and GBM have given me a chance. Iโm signed by Lou DiBella, who hasnโt got any broadcast deals. My last two fights, Iโve had one on Golden Boy and one on Top Rank. Although Louโs down as my promoter, heโs more like my advisor or my manager, so heโs the one going out seeking fights. I could end up on any show, which is not a bad thing, as it opens doors up.
โI feel like my skill level is up there to get one [a world title shot], but again itโs whether the business side works out. Itโs whether Lou DiBella can get me an opportunity to fight for one of them. Heโs a well-connected guy and heโs very good at his job; heโs been around the game a long time. If anyone can do it, he can help me get there.ย
โThis is the first step next month. I wonโt be taking it lightly, even though itโs a six-rounder. At this stage of my career, every fight is a tough fight. Iโll be looking to go in there and do a real good job and look good. Thatโs my first step โ Iโve got to win so then Iโm eligible to go back in title fights or eliminators โ but whoever I got [for a title shot], I would be written off again!โ
Even though it will be just six days before his next fight, Hughes will be at Wembley Stadium on September 21 for Riyadh Seasonโs UK debut, headlined by Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois. His presence will be for two reasons โ one, to support his stablemate Josh Warrington as he challenges Anthony Cacace for the IBF super-featherweight title, and two, to watch a potential rival and court a possible route back to the big time.
โAnother fight on that bill that Iโm interested in is the Mark Chamberlain fight [against Josh Padley]. Heโs got to step up at some point. I like Mark; heโs a nice lad and I speak to him sometimes. Heโs just fighting whoโs in front of him. But as a domestic fight, possibly an eliminator, thatโs something that could happen once Iโve got through my next fight at the end of September.โย
Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabiaโs General Entertainment Authority which is behind Riyadh Season, will be there in London, and Chamberlain is one of his favourite fighters โ something that is not lost on Hughes.
โItโd be nice to get on there and get a piece of that pie,โ he says.