He came from nowhere

[My Name Is Earl]

Or wasn't he a plumber???

He was an electrician wasn't he?? Worse decision every from mcguigan. He blamed Barney Eastwood for that didn't he?

Just checked him out and he was a plumbers apprentice, even after beating Mcguigan.

He blamed Barney for being under prepared in a bbc programme, and they got sued for it. So Eastwood's ok in my book
for that alone.
Re-watched the fight yesterday, and it's still painful viewing. His heart can't be questioned. Thing is, the pts win was
his save for the last 90 seconds of the fight. He would have won a SD. Even with a win, he wouldn't have been the same.

[My Name Is Earl]

Cruz over McGuigan. This was supposed to be the softer option to introduce McGuigan to his Irish/American
fans. Cruz was a late replacement and if i remember rightly was still part time in the building game. He'd a decent
amateur career but he was unknown on these shores. McG was something like 1/8 jolly and i know a few lads at work
who went big on a stoppage. Barry should have listened to Mr Eastwood.

Cruz was indeed a late replacement and the boxing Gods were shining on the local man because he actually lived in Las Vegas and the desert heat suited his patient, clever, counter-punching style. McGuigan, who never paced himself in the ring, was offered three opponents once Argentina's Fernando Sosa dropped out with serious eye problems: Cruz, Antonio Rivera or Jose Marmolejo.
McGuigan chose Cruz because he felt that Cruz was the safest opponent (for safe, read non-punching). He knew all about Rivera, who was dangerous but had a stamina problem, and all about Marmolejo, a Panamanian who had roughed him up in sparring in Belfast, so he was out. Rivera should have been the choice. The Puerto Rican suffered from asthma (an asthma attack later sadly killed him) and ran out of steam after a few threatening rounds. McGuigan had a decent chin and would have thrown too many punches for Rivera and outlasted him but he probably felt he would get to Cruz in the early rounds. He was wrong.

Cheers bennie. I never knew about Marmolejo.

[AntonioMartin]

He was an electrician wasn't he?? Worse decision every from mcguigan. He blamed Barney Eastwood for that didn't he?

Just checked him out and he was a plumbers apprentice, even after beating Mcguigan.

He blamed Barney for being under prepared in a bbc programme, and they got sued for it. So Eastwood's ok in my book
for that alone.
Re-watched the fight yesterday, and it's still painful viewing. His heart can't be questioned. Thing is, the pts win was
his save for the last 90 seconds of the fight. He would have won a SD. Even with a win, he wouldn't have been the same.

Lol....I remember that fight for many things among them, the surprise it caused, the three knockdowns, the fact McGuigan lost in a similar way to Richie Sandoval months before at the same city, that it was in one of the biggest boxing programs 13 year old me had seen yet, that Cruz was said to be a plumber('s apprentice), that he later would also somewhat surprisingly lose his title in his first defense to a guy who unjustifiably is not in the Hall of Fame (Antonio Esparragoza) and that some of the girls I llked said Cruz was cute, making me jealous of him..lol

[bennie]

He was an electrician wasn't he?? Worse decision every from mcguigan. He blamed Barney Eastwood for that didn't he?

Just checked him out and he was a plumbers apprentice, even after beating Mcguigan.

He blamed Barney for being under prepared in a bbc programme, and they got sued for it. So Eastwood's ok in my book
for that alone.
Re-watched the fight yesterday, and it's still painful viewing. His heart can't be questioned. Thing is, the pts win was
his save for the last 90 seconds of the fight. He would have won a SD. Even with a win, he wouldn't have been the same.

Cruz went through a bad patch after his victory over McGuigan. He was a low-key character who found himself thrust into the spotlight at the tender age of 21 and began drinking to cope with the pressure and expectation - and drinking heavily. He looked terrible in his first encounter after McGuigan: a 10-rounder against Mexico's Roger Arevalo in which he scraped home on a split decision. Then came a mandatory defence against the gifted Antonio Esparragoza of Venezuela, who had an answer to everything Cruz tried in a thrilling, bruising encounter in Texas in March 1987. It has to be said that Cruz fought as well against Esparragoza as he had against McGuigan but the challenger finally got on to top in the 12th of a 15-rounder, dropping Cruz twice to force a stoppage.
Cruz soldiered on and scored an upset 10-round decision over Tracy Harris Patterson in 1989 to secure a second world title shot, this time against Jorge Paez for the IBF featherweight belt. He dropped Paez heavily in the second round but Paez came back hard and ultimately took a unanimous decision, after which Cruz was seriously on the slide. He proved no match for Liverpool's Paul Hodkinson in a third world title shot in Belfast in 1992, even though he was still only 28.

[My Name Is Earl]

Just checked him out and he was a plumbers apprentice, even after beating Mcguigan.

He blamed Barney for being under prepared in a bbc programme, and they got sued for it. So Eastwood's ok in my book
for that alone.
Re-watched the fight yesterday, and it's still painful viewing. His heart can't be questioned. Thing is, the pts win was
his save for the last 90 seconds of the fight. He would have won a SD. Even with a win, he wouldn't have been the same.

Cruz went through a bad patch after his victory over McGuigan. He was a low-key character who found himself thrust into the spotlight at the tender age of 21 and began drinking to cope with the pressure and expectation - and drinking heavily. He looked terrible in his first encounter after McGuigan: a 10-rounder against Mexico's Roger Arevalo in which he scraped home on a split decision. Then came a mandatory defence against the gifted Antonio Esparragoza of Venezuela, who had an answer to everything Cruz tried in a thrilling, bruising encounter in Texas in March 1987. It has to be said that Cruz fought as well against Esparragoza as he had against McGuigan but the challenger finally got on to top in the 12th of a 15-rounder, dropping Cruz twice to force a stoppage.
Cruz soldiered on and scored an upset 10-round decision over Tracy Harris Patterson in 1989 to secure a second world title shot, this time against Jorge Paez for the IBF featherweight belt. He dropped Paez heavily in the second round but Paez came back hard and ultimately took a unanimous decision, after which Cruz was seriously on the slide. He proved no match for Liverpool's Paul Hodkinson in a third world title shot in Belfast in 1992, even though he was still only 28.

What did you make of Hoko, bennie?

The McGuigan comparison was inevitable obviously because of Eastwood, but his style was uncannily similar.

After going to M/cr for a Happy Mondays gig on the Saturday i met up with an old workmate on security, who
told me get my arse back up there in midweek and he'd get me in for Hoko's 'eliminator'. It was a crackin' 3 rounds
but seeing the Liverpudlian live shown how open he was. Having said that he recovered superbly from a pearler
that put him down. A real punter-friendly fighter whilst he lasted.

[banjo]

I used to love Hoko one of my first boxing hero's, carried a lot of power and was exciting to watch, his career was relatively brief though and he slipped very quickly.

[Coco]

Cruz went through a bad patch after his victory over McGuigan. He was a low-key character who found himself thrust into the spotlight at the tender age of 21 and began drinking to cope with the pressure and expectation - and drinking heavily. He looked terrible in his first encounter after McGuigan: a 10-rounder against Mexico's Roger Arevalo in which he scraped home on a split decision. Then came a mandatory defence against the gifted Antonio Esparragoza of Venezuela, who had an answer to everything Cruz tried in a thrilling, bruising encounter in Texas in March 1987. It has to be said that Cruz fought as well against Esparragoza as he had against McGuigan but the challenger finally got on to top in the 12th of a 15-rounder, dropping Cruz twice to force a stoppage.
Cruz soldiered on and scored an upset 10-round decision over Tracy Harris Patterson in 1989 to secure a second world title shot, this time against Jorge Paez for the IBF featherweight belt. He dropped Paez heavily in the second round but Paez came back hard and ultimately took a unanimous decision, after which Cruz was seriously on the slide. He proved no match for Liverpool's Paul Hodkinson in a third world title shot in Belfast in 1992, even though he was still only 28.

I don’t usually look at posters names and stuff just the posts.... but bennie is a boxing encyclopedia. Amazing knowledge

100% great knowledge

[Flump]

I don’t usually look at posters names and stuff just the posts.... but bennie is a boxing encyclopedia. Amazing knowledge

100% great knowledge

Very fine writer is bennie.

[dookus]

Just checked him out and he was a plumbers apprentice, even after beating Mcguigan.

He blamed Barney for being under prepared in a bbc programme, and they got sued for it. So Eastwood's ok in my book
for that alone.
Re-watched the fight yesterday, and it's still painful viewing. His heart can't be questioned. Thing is, the pts win was
his save for the last 90 seconds of the fight. He would have won a SD. Even with a win, he wouldn't have been the same.

Cruz went through a bad patch after his victory over McGuigan. He was a low-key character who found himself thrust into the spotlight at the tender age of 21 and began drinking to cope with the pressure and expectation - and drinking heavily. He looked terrible in his first encounter after McGuigan: a 10-rounder against Mexico's Roger Arevalo in which he scraped home on a split decision. Then came a mandatory defence against the gifted Antonio Esparragoza of Venezuela, who had an answer to everything Cruz tried in a thrilling, bruising encounter in Texas in March 1987. It has to be said that Cruz fought as well against Esparragoza as he had against McGuigan but the challenger finally got on to top in the 12th of a 15-rounder, dropping Cruz twice to force a stoppage.
Cruz soldiered on and scored an upset 10-round decision over Tracy Harris Patterson in 1989 to secure a second world title shot, this time against Jorge Paez for the IBF featherweight belt. He dropped Paez heavily in the second round but Paez came back hard and ultimately took a unanimous decision, after which Cruz was seriously on the slide. He proved no match for Liverpool's Paul Hodkinson in a third world title shot in Belfast in 1992, even though he was still only 28.

thanks

[ShadrachSimmo]

Rendall Munroe beating Martinez was a big shock. The Boxing Bin Man was about 6/1 with the bookies as I remember. Am sure Flexen called it in the Boxing News. Rendall was about 13-1 at the time and put a fine run together after this. Kiko’s first defeat too.

It was quite a surprise considering what Kiko done to Dunne(no pun). I think Munroe lost to Andy Morris up at feather prior to the fight. He won the rematch pretty convincing too. Shame he never won a world title, but Kiko did 6 years after fighting him. Funny old game.

[AntonioMartin]

Samuel Malinga

Was he related to Thulane?

[bennie]

Cruz went through a bad patch after his victory over McGuigan. He was a low-key character who found himself thrust into the spotlight at the tender age of 21 and began drinking to cope with the pressure and expectation - and drinking heavily. He looked terrible in his first encounter after McGuigan: a 10-rounder against Mexico's Roger Arevalo in which he scraped home on a split decision. Then came a mandatory defence against the gifted Antonio Esparragoza of Venezuela, who had an answer to everything Cruz tried in a thrilling, bruising encounter in Texas in March 1987. It has to be said that Cruz fought as well against Esparragoza as he had against McGuigan but the challenger finally got on to top in the 12th of a 15-rounder, dropping Cruz twice to force a stoppage.
Cruz soldiered on and scored an upset 10-round decision over Tracy Harris Patterson in 1989 to secure a second world title shot, this time against Jorge Paez for the IBF featherweight belt. He dropped Paez heavily in the second round but Paez came back hard and ultimately took a unanimous decision, after which Cruz was seriously on the slide. He proved no match for Liverpool's Paul Hodkinson in a third world title shot in Belfast in 1992, even though he was still only 28.

What did you make of Hoko, bennie?

The McGuigan comparison was inevitable obviously because of Eastwood, but his style was uncannily similar.

After going to M/cr for a Happy Mondays gig on the Saturday i met up with an old workmate on security, who
told me get my arse back up there in midweek and he'd get me in for Hoko's 'eliminator'. It was a crackin' 3 rounds
but seeing the Liverpudlian live shown how open he was. Having said that he recovered superbly from a pearler
that put him down. A real punter-friendly fighter whilst he lasted.

Hodkinson was a brilliant fighter but not quite as brilliant as McGuigan because Barry was better at attacking without getting hit than the equally aggressive Hodkinson and the Irishman also cracked a bit harder. Nevertheless, I loved the way Paul sprayed punches on his opponents and particularly the way he doubled up on the left hook, body and head. He was a product of the same Kirkby amateur boxing club which produced John Conteh and first came to my attention when he gave John Hyland a war in the first stage of the ABAs in Liverpool in 1984, busting up the established Hyland before conceding the points to a man who went on to win the ABA bantamweight title at Wembley (and box in the Olympics).
Hodkinson moved up to featherweight and tried again in the ABAs a year later but ran into an unknown Geordie by the name of John Davison and was starched in the first round. He consoled himself with a clear decision over Andreas Zuelow, an East German who would win lightweight gold in the Seoul Olympics (eliminating Kostya Tszyu en route) and by 1986, Hodkinson was unbeatable as he romped to the ABA featherweight title with comprehensive decisions over that man Davison and a certain Colin McMillan, prior to a third-round stoppage of the Scot Dave Anderson in the final. He looked all set for gold in the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh a couple of months later when word got to the selectors that Paul was training with professionals in Barney Eastwood's Belfast gym, sparring Hilario Zapata and Dave McAuley and making the trip to Las Vegas for McGuigan's ill-fated duel in the sun with Steve Cruz, and that was it for him and the Commonwealth Games. They picked Manchester's Peter English, a man Hodkinson had outclassed on his way to the ABA title. (English won silver.)
Inevitably, Paul turned pro with Eastwood on the Withersoon-Bruno undercard at Wembley Stadium in July 1986 with a quick win over Bournemouth no-hoper Mark Champney, and we got to witness his development over the next few years because Eastwood had a TV deal with the BBC. He cruised to British and European featherweight titles, survived a couple of scares against the Frenchman Farid Benredjeb and Mexico's Eduardo "Fili" Montoya, then suffered gruesome injuries at the hands (well, the head) of Marcos Villasana in a clash for the vacant WBC featherweight title in Manchester in 1990 which Paul had dominated until he could barely see from swellings around his eyes and had to be rescued. (The Board of Control banned TV interviews in the ring after that one).
Hoko gave his features plenty of time to recover and proved much smarter in a rematch 18 months later in Belfast, standing off more and dishing out plenty of trademark (and full-blooded) combinations on the way to a clear decision over the insanely durable Villasana, and from then on Paul stayed at world level until his retirement in 1994. His four-round massacre of Ricardo Cepeda in defence of his WBC title at Earls Court in 1993 is one of the greatest world title displays ever given by a British fighter.
Amazingly, Hodkinson was never a big draw, even when he fought in Liverpool but the quietly spoken Scouser never complained and just got on with winning fights in relentless, punishing fashion. He only needed the full 12 rounds once in all his victories, when he pounded Mexico's Villasana of course. Incidentally, Hodkinson's three-round thriller with Montoya you mentioned is one that sticks in the mind because Montoya, a convicted cop killer who was allowed out of jail for early career fights (that must have delighted local law enforcement), is probably the most emotionless fighter I have ever witnessed. Even when Hoko was repeatedly flooring him, his expression never changed and Hoko found himself consoling a brick wall when the fight was over.

[Old bones Ian]

Thanks Bennie, insightful as ever.
Bit if a YouTube clip from Paul here, have to say I wouldn't of recognized him.

[My Name Is Earl]

What did you make of Hoko, bennie?

The McGuigan comparison was inevitable obviously because of Eastwood, but his style was uncannily similar.

After going to M/cr for a Happy Mondays gig on the Saturday i met up with an old workmate on security, who
told me get my arse back up there in midweek and he'd get me in for Hoko's 'eliminator'. It was a crackin' 3 rounds
but seeing the Liverpudlian live shown how open he was. Having said that he recovered superbly from a pearler
that put him down. A real punter-friendly fighter whilst he lasted.

Hodkinson was a brilliant fighter but not quite as brilliant as McGuigan because Barry was better at attacking without getting hit than the equally aggressive Hodkinson and the Irishman also cracked a bit harder. Nevertheless, I loved the way Paul sprayed punches on his opponents and particularly the way he doubled up on the left hook, body and head. He was a product of the same Kirkby amateur boxing club which produced John Conteh and first came to my attention when he gave John Hyland a war in the first stage of the ABAs in Liverpool in 1984, busting up the established Hyland before conceding the points to a man who went on to win the ABA bantamweight title at Wembley (and box in the Olympics).
Hodkinson moved up to featherweight and tried again in the ABAs a year later but ran into an unknown Geordie by the name of John Davison and was starched in the first round. He consoled himself with a clear decision over Andreas Zuelow, an East German who would win lightweight gold in the Seoul Olympics (eliminating Kostya Tszyu en route) and by 1986, Hodkinson was unbeatable as he romped to the ABA featherweight title with comprehensive decisions over that man Davison and a certain Colin McMillan, prior to a third-round stoppage of the Scot Dave Anderson in the final. He looked all set for gold in the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh a couple of months later when word got to the selectors that Paul was training with professionals in Barney Eastwood's Belfast gym, sparring Hilario Zapata and Dave McAuley and making the trip to Las Vegas for McGuigan's ill-fated duel in the sun with Steve Cruz, and that was it for him and the Commonwealth Games. They picked Manchester's Peter English, a man Hodkinson had outclassed on his way to the ABA title. (English won silver.)
Inevitably, Paul turned pro with Eastwood on the Withersoon-Bruno undercard at Wembley Stadium in July 1986 with a quick win over Bournemouth no-hoper Mark Champney, and we got to witness his development over the next few years because Eastwood had a TV deal with the BBC. He cruised to British and European featherweight titles, survived a couple of scares against the Frenchman Farid Benredjeb and Mexico's Eduardo "Fili" Montoya, then suffered gruesome injuries at the hands (well, the head) of Marcos Villasana in a clash for the vacant WBC featherweight title in Manchester in 1990 which Paul had dominated until he could barely see from swellings around his eyes and had to be rescued. (The Board of Control banned TV interviews in the ring after that one).
Hoko gave his features plenty of time to recover and proved much smarter in a rematch 18 months later in Belfast, standing off more and dishing out plenty of trademark (and full-blooded) combinations on the way to a clear decision over the insanely durable Villasana, and from then on Paul stayed at world level until his retirement in 1994. His four-round massacre of Ricardo Cepeda in defence of his WBC title at Earls Court in 1993 is one of the greatest world title displays ever given by a British fighter.
Amazingly, Hodkinson was never a big draw, even when he fought in Liverpool but the quietly spoken Scouser never complained and just got on with winning fights in relentless, punishing fashion. He only needed the full 12 rounds once in all his victories, when he pounded Mexico's Villasana of course. Incidentally, Hodkinson's three-round thriller with Montoya you mentioned is one that sticks in the mind because Montoya, a convicted cop killer who was allowed out of jail for early career fights (that must have delighted local law enforcement), is probably the most emotionless fighter I have ever witnessed. Even when Hoko was repeatedly flooring him, his expression never changed and Hoko found himself consoling a brick wall when the fight was over.

Jesus wept bennie Brilliant, thanks for that.

Some crackin' names there in his amateur cv.

I'll have his bbc fights on vhs, and i remember vividly the grotesque features in that interview following that
legal assault from Villasana. I think the anti-boxing lobby were particularly vocal around this time, and those interview scenes didn't show our sport in it's best light given the lobby's agenda.
His rematch victory was a sweet sweet moment, as you say he was a helluva decent lad.

Bitter-sweet ending against Robinson for the neutral observer. Hoko was a sad sight in defeat when his swollen eyes
problem returned, but good to see the unheralded Robinson finally get his dues after a long bumpy journey in the pros.

Still would have loved to see Hoko v McGuigan and Fenech.

[My Name Is Earl]

Thanks Bennie, insightful as ever.
Bit if a YouTube clip from Paul here, have to say I wouldn't of recognized him.

Cheers

[My Name Is Earl]

Hodkinson was a brilliant fighter but not quite as brilliant as McGuigan because Barry was better at attacking without getting hit than the equally aggressive Hodkinson and the Irishman also cracked a bit harder. Nevertheless, I loved the way Paul sprayed punches on his opponents and particularly the way he doubled up on the left hook, body and head. He was a product of the same Kirkby amateur boxing club which produced John Conteh and first came to my attention when he gave John Hyland a war in the first stage of the ABAs in Liverpool in 1984, busting up the established Hyland before conceding the points to a man who went on to win the ABA bantamweight title at Wembley (and box in the Olympics).
Hodkinson moved up to featherweight and tried again in the ABAs a year later but ran into an unknown Geordie by the name of John Davison and was starched in the first round. He consoled himself with a clear decision over Andreas Zuelow, an East German who would win lightweight gold in the Seoul Olympics (eliminating Kostya Tszyu en route) and by 1986, Hodkinson was unbeatable as he romped to the ABA featherweight title with comprehensive decisions over that man Davison and a certain Colin McMillan, prior to a third-round stoppage of the Scot Dave Anderson in the final. He looked all set for gold in the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh a couple of months later when word got to the selectors that Paul was training with professionals in Barney Eastwood's Belfast gym, sparring Hilario Zapata and Dave McAuley and making the trip to Las Vegas for McGuigan's ill-fated duel in the sun with Steve Cruz, and that was it for him and the Commonwealth Games. They picked Manchester's Peter English, a man Hodkinson had outclassed on his way to the ABA title. (English won silver.)
Inevitably, Paul turned pro with Eastwood on the Withersoon-Bruno undercard at Wembley Stadium in July 1986 with a quick win over Bournemouth no-hoper Mark Champney, and we got to witness his development over the next few years because Eastwood had a TV deal with the BBC. He cruised to British and European featherweight titles, survived a couple of scares against the Frenchman Farid Benredjeb and Mexico's Eduardo "Fili" Montoya, then suffered gruesome injuries at the hands (well, the head) of Marcos Villasana in a clash for the vacant WBC featherweight title in Manchester in 1990 which Paul had dominated until he could barely see from swellings around his eyes and had to be rescued. (The Board of Control banned TV interviews in the ring after that one).
Hoko gave his features plenty of time to recover and proved much smarter in a rematch 18 months later in Belfast, standing off more and dishing out plenty of trademark (and full-blooded) combinations on the way to a clear decision over the insanely durable Villasana, and from then on Paul stayed at world level until his retirement in 1994. His four-round massacre of Ricardo Cepeda in defence of his WBC title at Earls Court in 1993 is one of the greatest world title displays ever given by a British fighter.
Amazingly, Hodkinson was never a big draw, even when he fought in Liverpool but the quietly spoken Scouser never complained and just got on with winning fights in relentless, punishing fashion. He only needed the full 12 rounds once in all his victories, when he pounded Mexico's Villasana of course. Incidentally, Hodkinson's three-round thriller with Montoya you mentioned is one that sticks in the mind because Montoya, a convicted cop killer who was allowed out of jail for early career fights (that must have delighted local law enforcement), is probably the most emotionless fighter I have ever witnessed. Even when Hoko was repeatedly flooring him, his expression never changed and Hoko found himself consoling a brick wall when the fight was over.

Great info as usual Hoko was one of my favs, like Dave Macauley - both under appreciated and underrated. Both were always great to watch

Amen to that!

[Old bones Ian]

It's Dave McAuley's brother Eamonn that is chatting to Hoko in the vid clip.

I don't know why Eamonn retired, Bennie any knowledge?

[bennie]

It's Dave McAuley's brother Eamonn that is chatting to Hoko in the vid clip.

I don't know why Eamonn retired, Bennie any knowledge?

Good question. Eamonn McAuley took part in one of the greatest ABA finals of all time when he took out Carl Crook in three rounds in 1985 but his pro career never really got really off the ground and I have no reason why. Some fighters, such as Marlon Ward or Mark Bowers, just fall by the wayside.

[Old bones Ian]

It's Dave McAuley's brother Eamonn that is chatting to Hoko in the vid clip.

I don't know why Eamonn retired, Bennie any knowledge?

Good question. Eamonn McAuley took part in one of the greatest ABA finals of all time when he took out Carl Crook in three rounds in 1985 but his pro career never really got really off the ground and I have no reason why. Some fighters, such as Marlon Ward or Mark Bowers, just fall by the wayside.

Found this recent article on Eamonn, he sounds a really interesting bloke, some great stories, and yes he just fell out of love with the pro game by the sounds of it.

https://shermanwright779031840.wordpres ... e-ardoyne/

[black panther]

What did you make of Hoko, bennie?

The McGuigan comparison was inevitable obviously because of Eastwood, but his style was uncannily similar.

After going to M/cr for a Happy Mondays gig on the Saturday i met up with an old workmate on security, who
told me get my arse back up there in midweek and he'd get me in for Hoko's 'eliminator'. It was a crackin' 3 rounds
but seeing the Liverpudlian live shown how open he was. Having said that he recovered superbly from a pearler
that put him down. A real punter-friendly fighter whilst he lasted.

Hodkinson was a brilliant fighter but not quite as brilliant as McGuigan because Barry was better at attacking without getting hit than the equally aggressive Hodkinson and the Irishman also cracked a bit harder. Nevertheless, I loved the way Paul sprayed punches on his opponents and particularly the way he doubled up on the left hook, body and head. He was a product of the same Kirkby amateur boxing club which produced John Conteh and first came to my attention when he gave John Hyland a war in the first stage of the ABAs in Liverpool in 1984, busting up the established Hyland before conceding the points to a man who went on to win the ABA bantamweight title at Wembley (and box in the Olympics).
Hodkinson moved up to featherweight and tried again in the ABAs a year later but ran into an unknown Geordie by the name of John Davison and was starched in the first round. He consoled himself with a clear decision over Andreas Zuelow, an East German who would win lightweight gold in the Seoul Olympics (eliminating Kostya Tszyu en route) and by 1986, Hodkinson was unbeatable as he romped to the ABA featherweight title with comprehensive decisions over that man Davison and a certain Colin McMillan, prior to a third-round stoppage of the Scot Dave Anderson in the final. He looked all set for gold in the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh a couple of months later when word got to the selectors that Paul was training with professionals in Barney Eastwood's Belfast gym, sparring Hilario Zapata and Dave McAuley and making the trip to Las Vegas for McGuigan's ill-fated duel in the sun with Steve Cruz, and that was it for him and the Commonwealth Games. They picked Manchester's Peter English, a man Hodkinson had outclassed on his way to the ABA title. (English won silver.)
Inevitably, Paul turned pro with Eastwood on the Withersoon-Bruno undercard at Wembley Stadium in July 1986 with a quick win over Bournemouth no-hoper Mark Champney, and we got to witness his development over the next few years because Eastwood had a TV deal with the BBC. He cruised to British and European featherweight titles, survived a couple of scares against the Frenchman Farid Benredjeb and Mexico's Eduardo "Fili" Montoya, then suffered gruesome injuries at the hands (well, the head) of Marcos Villasana in a clash for the vacant WBC featherweight title in Manchester in 1990 which Paul had dominated until he could barely see from swellings around his eyes and had to be rescued. (The Board of Control banned TV interviews in the ring after that one).
Hoko gave his features plenty of time to recover and proved much smarter in a rematch 18 months later in Belfast, standing off more and dishing out plenty of trademark (and full-blooded) combinations on the way to a clear decision over the insanely durable Villasana, and from then on Paul stayed at world level until his retirement in 1994. His four-round massacre of Ricardo Cepeda in defence of his WBC title at Earls Court in 1993 is one of the greatest world title displays ever given by a British fighter.
Amazingly, Hodkinson was never a big draw, even when he fought in Liverpool but the quietly spoken Scouser never complained and just got on with winning fights in relentless, punishing fashion. He only needed the full 12 rounds once in all his victories, when he pounded Mexico's Villasana of course. Incidentally, Hodkinson's three-round thriller with Montoya you mentioned is one that sticks in the mind because Montoya, a convicted cop killer who was allowed out of jail for early career fights (that must have delighted local law enforcement), is probably the most emotionless fighter I have ever witnessed. Even when Hoko was repeatedly flooring him, his expression never changed and Hoko found himself consoling a brick wall when the fight was over.

Great read thank you Bennie!

[dookus]

What did you make of Hoko, bennie?

The McGuigan comparison was inevitable obviously because of Eastwood, but his style was uncannily similar.

After going to M/cr for a Happy Mondays gig on the Saturday i met up with an old workmate on security, who
told me get my arse back up there in midweek and he'd get me in for Hoko's 'eliminator'. It was a crackin' 3 rounds
but seeing the Liverpudlian live shown how open he was. Having said that he recovered superbly from a pearler
that put him down. A real punter-friendly fighter whilst he lasted.

Hodkinson was a brilliant fighter but not quite as brilliant as McGuigan because Barry was better at attacking without getting hit than the equally aggressive Hodkinson and the Irishman also cracked a bit harder. Nevertheless, I loved the way Paul sprayed punches on his opponents and particularly the way he doubled up on the left hook, body and head. He was a product of the same Kirkby amateur boxing club which produced John Conteh and first came to my attention when he gave John Hyland a war in the first stage of the ABAs in Liverpool in 1984, busting up the established Hyland before conceding the points to a man who went on to win the ABA bantamweight title at Wembley (and box in the Olympics).
Hodkinson moved up to featherweight and tried again in the ABAs a year later but ran into an unknown Geordie by the name of John Davison and was starched in the first round. He consoled himself with a clear decision over Andreas Zuelow, an East German who would win lightweight gold in the Seoul Olympics (eliminating Kostya Tszyu en route) and by 1986, Hodkinson was unbeatable as he romped to the ABA featherweight title with comprehensive decisions over that man Davison and a certain Colin McMillan, prior to a third-round stoppage of the Scot Dave Anderson in the final. He looked all set for gold in the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh a couple of months later when word got to the selectors that Paul was training with professionals in Barney Eastwood's Belfast gym, sparring Hilario Zapata and Dave McAuley and making the trip to Las Vegas for McGuigan's ill-fated duel in the sun with Steve Cruz, and that was it for him and the Commonwealth Games. They picked Manchester's Peter English, a man Hodkinson had outclassed on his way to the ABA title. (English won silver.)
Inevitably, Paul turned pro with Eastwood on the Withersoon-Bruno undercard at Wembley Stadium in July 1986 with a quick win over Bournemouth no-hoper Mark Champney, and we got to witness his development over the next few years because Eastwood had a TV deal with the BBC. He cruised to British and European featherweight titles, survived a couple of scares against the Frenchman Farid Benredjeb and Mexico's Eduardo "Fili" Montoya, then suffered gruesome injuries at the hands (well, the head) of Marcos Villasana in a clash for the vacant WBC featherweight title in Manchester in 1990 which Paul had dominated until he could barely see from swellings around his eyes and had to be rescued. (The Board of Control banned TV interviews in the ring after that one).
Hoko gave his features plenty of time to recover and proved much smarter in a rematch 18 months later in Belfast, standing off more and dishing out plenty of trademark (and full-blooded) combinations on the way to a clear decision over the insanely durable Villasana, and from then on Paul stayed at world level until his retirement in 1994. His four-round massacre of Ricardo Cepeda in defence of his WBC title at Earls Court in 1993 is one of the greatest world title displays ever given by a British fighter.
Amazingly, Hodkinson was never a big draw, even when he fought in Liverpool but the quietly spoken Scouser never complained and just got on with winning fights in relentless, punishing fashion. He only needed the full 12 rounds once in all his victories, when he pounded Mexico's Villasana of course. Incidentally, Hodkinson's three-round thriller with Montoya you mentioned is one that sticks in the mind because Montoya, a convicted cop killer who was allowed out of jail for early career fights (that must have delighted local law enforcement), is probably the most emotionless fighter I have ever witnessed. Even when Hoko was repeatedly flooring him, his expression never changed and Hoko found himself consoling a brick wall when the fight was over.

Cheers Bennie

[Old bones Ian]

It's Dave McAuley's brother Eamonn that is chatting to Hoko in the vid clip.

I don't know why Eamonn retired, Bennie any knowledge?

I’m pretty sure Eamonn McCauley is not Dave’s brother if you mean the ex pro

I may be wrong, wouldn't be the first time

[margaret thatcher]

You can't stretch your arms in Oirland without hitting a McCauley

[Old bones Ian]

My bad, poor research

[My Name Is Earl]

It's Dave McAuley's brother Eamonn that is chatting to Hoko in the vid clip.

I don't know why Eamonn retired, Bennie any knowledge?

Good question. Eamonn McAuley took part in one of the greatest ABA finals of all time when he took out Carl Crook in three rounds in 1985 but his pro career never really got really off the ground and I have no reason why. Some fighters, such as Marlon Ward or Mark Bowers, just fall by the wayside.

Carl Crook....You really give the suede a nudge with these names.

Had a great local following and always seemed to be on midweek ITV boxing. Carved out a decent career
on the domestic & CW front, with some memorable fights incl' those two Lancashire derbies with Roche, and the biggie that
put his name out there, the ko of Najib Daho, who deserves his own mention (was a promoters dream).
The ex squaddie fell short at Euro level but i'm sure he made a good few bob along the way.