BoxRec

Press Release

Newly-crowned IBO lightweight world champion Maxi Hughes has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing.

In the form of his life, Yorkshire's Hughes (24-5-2, 5 KOs) upset the odds to outclass Jovanni Straffon over 12 rounds at Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds on Saturday to wrestle the IBO 135lbs crown from the heavy-handed Mexican.

Many thought Straffon's power would be a key factor, but 'Maximus' looked the more powerful out of the pair as he came so close to forcing a stoppage in round five, eventually taking the fight with wide scores of 120-107, 120-107 and 119-109 on the judges' cards.

Hughes has now won the WBC International, British and IBO lightweight titles in his four fights since lockdown, being the better underdog in three of them, and the 31-year-old who is trained by Sean O'Hagan and managed by Stefy Bull has his sights set on a showdown with undefeated WBC lightweight world champion Devin Haney.

"Matchroom have provided so many opportunities for fighters, past and present, and to know those opportunities will be heading my way is all I could ask for," said Hughes. "The victory wasn’t a surprise, not to me anyway, given the preparation I’d put in and the time we had spent tailoring our approach to deal with someone like Straffon. But to win every round and to feel that comfortable feels pretty epic in front of a Yorkshire crowd.

"It’s a pleasure to share a card with that amount of boxing talent and the fact that people think my performance stole the show feels unreal. I’m just glad I got to showcase my skills and make my team and family proud. I only spend a short time reflecting after any fight with Sean and the team, but after that I move on and we agree what step we take next. I’ll reflect properly on my achievements when I retire. I don’t intend to get too drunk on my own success.

"I’ve been on the domestic scene since Scotty Cardle and I fought him back in 2013. I’ve mixed it with the best British and European talent that was there at the time. Boxing careers don’t last forever so my hope is that Matchroom can deliver bigger fights than any of those I’ve had so far, to capitalise on my recent success.

"I’ve already spoken about Devin Haney simply because his opponents seems to be evading him. I might not be the ‘name’ he wants, but I’m game and willing to fight. If that doesn’t come off, then I’m only looking forward in the rankings. I’ll take whatever comes my way."

"I’m delighted to welcome the 'Cinderella Southpaw' Maxi Hughes to the Matchroom Boxing team," said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. "It’s been an incredible year that has seen Maxi inflict shock upsets and incredible performances as he went on to pick up a piece of the 135lbs division on Saturday night. We feel there are plenty of more chapters left in this incredible story and we look forward to some big nights ahead live on DAZN."

As soon as someone wins a ‘world’ title. Hearn signs them to a deal.

Did the same thing with Kid Galahad.

He’ll probably have Hughes headline a card and call him a world champion.

But when Eubank tried to sell the IBO title, everyone told him where to go.

Hearn won’t call him a world champ.

I’m pleased for Maxi - he’s done it the hard way and I hope he makes some good money now. I’d quite like to see him against Tennyson.

'inks pact....'

we don't just 'sign contracts' any more...

maverick23 wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 03:10 Hearn won’t call him a world champ.

I’m pleased for Maxi - he’s done it the hard way and I hope he makes some good money now. I’d quite like to see him against Tennyson.

You joking! Hearn will milk the 'world' title for all he can.

blanca wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 04:03

maverick23 wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 03:10 Hearn won’t call him a world champ.

I’m pleased for Maxi - he’s done it the hard way and I hope he makes some good money now. I’d quite like to see him against Tennyson.

You joking! Hearn will milk the 'world' title for all he can.

I’m pretty sure he’s had IBO champs in the past and hasn’t tried to push them as legit world champions. Unlike the WBA regular champs.

More I think, the more I think that examples like this is why perhaps it seems Matchroom can be slow in getting fights over the line. Its calculated gambles but almost to an extreme point with for example, rematch clauses for non title fights, options agreements with opponents (obviously had it with Straffon before) - no wonder negotations seems to be long.

Yes I know all promoters are "at it" but maybe not as much when it comes to non title fights or fights down the card. As there is no promoter as much of a face (I would actually even go to say in the history of the sport - although how a prime Don would have behaved with Social Media I wouldn't know) then they are certainly less vocal / open when it comes to options, clauses etc.

maverick23 wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 03:10 Hearn won’t call him a world champ.

I’m pleased for Maxi - he’s done it the hard way and I hope he makes some good money now. I’d quite like to see him against Tennyson.

Agree Tennyson next would be good, also Lee Selby?

peter barlow wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 07:08

maverick23 wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 03:10 Hearn won’t call him a world champ.

I’m pleased for Maxi - he’s done it the hard way and I hope he makes some good money now. I’d quite like to see him against Tennyson.

Agree Tennyson next would be good, also Lee Selby?

I’m pretty bored of Selby to be honest. He’s a good fighter but he’s rarely in entertaining fights. Plus he doesn’t have the ability to beat Gervonta Davis like Tennyson does.

peter barlow wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 07:08

maverick23 wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 03:10 Hearn won’t call him a world champ.

I’m pleased for Maxi - he’s done it the hard way and I hope he makes some good money now. I’d quite like to see him against Tennyson.

Agree Tennyson next would be good, also Lee Selby?

Selby was Boxxer rumoured fighter (not announced yet) that was doing rounds.

peter barlow wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 07:08

maverick23 wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 03:10 Hearn won’t call him a world champ.

I’m pleased for Maxi - he’s done it the hard way and I hope he makes some good money now. I’d quite like to see him against Tennyson.

Agree Tennyson next would be good, also Lee Selby?

Tennyson easy fight to make - deals with both of them and has makings of a decent fight.

Why are people mentioning tennyson. Hughes has just given a lesson to a bloke who destroyed Tennyson . Selby would b a good fight but why go backwards to tennyson.. he may be able to punch but the moment his under pressure he folds.

maley1984 wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 12:54 Why are people mentioning tennyson. Hughes has just given a lesson to a bloke who destroyed Tennyson . Selby would b a good fight but why go backwards to tennyson.. he may be able to punch but the moment his under pressure he folds.

I think it’d be an entertaining fight. More so than the Selby fight. Tennyson was on a good run before getting destroyed - it doesn’t mean he’s an awful fighter and I’m not sure whether Maxi has the power that Straffon does. He’s a far better boxer though.

maverick23 wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 13:08

maley1984 wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 12:54 Why are people mentioning tennyson. Hughes has just given a lesson to a bloke who destroyed Tennyson . Selby would b a good fight but why go backwards to tennyson.. he may be able to punch but the moment his under pressure he folds.

I think it’d be an entertaining fight. More so than the Selby fight. Tennyson was on a good run before getting destroyed - it doesn’t mean he’s an awful fighter and I’m not sure whether Maxi has the power that Straffon does. He’s a far better boxer though.

Styles makes fights. But Tenny fights one way mostly.. Hughes can defeat him via UD.

maverick23 wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 13:08

maley1984 wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 12:54 Why are people mentioning tennyson. Hughes has just given a lesson to a bloke who destroyed Tennyson . Selby would b a good fight but why go backwards to tennyson.. he may be able to punch but the moment his under pressure he folds.

I think it’d be an entertaining fight. More so than the Selby fight. Tennyson was on a good run before getting destroyed - it doesn’t mean he’s an awful fighter and I’m not sure whether Maxi has the power that Straffon does. He’s a far better boxer though.

So because u can punch but are vulnerable your a better option than a fighter with the skill set of Selby. He may have lost but never stopped and always competitive. Tennyson is shit or bust.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 13:12

maverick23 wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 13:08

maley1984 wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 12:54 Why are people mentioning tennyson. Hughes has just given a lesson to a bloke who destroyed Tennyson . Selby would b a good fight but why go backwards to tennyson.. he may be able to punch but the moment his under pressure he folds.

I think it’d be an entertaining fight. More so than the Selby fight. Tennyson was on a good run before getting destroyed - it doesn’t mean he’s an awful fighter and I’m not sure whether Maxi has the power that Straffon does. He’s a far better boxer though.

Styles makes fights. But Tenny fights one way mostly.. Hughes can defeat him via UD.

Exactly and I’d rather watch Tennyson/Hughes than Selby/Hughes.

Selby still has a couple of top 15 rankings though so I’d understand it if they fought - I just don’t think it’d be a good fight.

maley1984 wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 13:18

maverick23 wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 13:08

maley1984 wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 12:54 Why are people mentioning tennyson. Hughes has just given a lesson to a bloke who destroyed Tennyson . Selby would b a good fight but why go backwards to tennyson.. he may be able to punch but the moment his under pressure he folds.

I think it’d be an entertaining fight. More so than the Selby fight. Tennyson was on a good run before getting destroyed - it doesn’t mean he’s an awful fighter and I’m not sure whether Maxi has the power that Straffon does. He’s a far better boxer though.

So because u can punch but are vulnerable your a better option than a fighter with the skill set of Selby. He may have lost but never stopped and always competitive. Tennyson is shit or bust.

I didn’t say Tennyson’s a better option - I said it will likely be a better fight. Selby’s last 3 have been fairly dull whilst Tennyson is usually in really good fights.

If they’re looking to climb the rankings for a mandatory spot though Selby’s the better option.

Slapsie Maxie boxed really well last time out. Deserves his paydays

maverick23 wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 13:31

maley1984 wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 13:18

maverick23 wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 13:08

I think it’d be an entertaining fight. More so than the Selby fight. Tennyson was on a good run before getting destroyed - it doesn’t mean he’s an awful fighter and I’m not sure whether Maxi has the power that Straffon does. He’s a far better boxer though.

So because u can punch but are vulnerable your a better option than a fighter with the skill set of Selby. He may have lost but never stopped and always competitive. Tennyson is shit or bust.

I didn’t say Tennyson’s a better option - I said it will likely be a better fight. Selby’s last 3 have been fairly dull whilst Tennyson is usually in really good fights.

If they’re looking to climb the rankings for a mandatory spot though Selby’s the better option.

Exactly tennyson is a big step back. Tennyson cv isn't that impressive most of the wins are fringe domestic level.

Can’t wait for haneys big “unification”… everyone knows that wjen no one is taking your WBC belt seriously it’s just cause you don’t have a nice shines IBO belt to go with it….

tenny would give him a much tougher fight than straffon did, it's a totally different dynamic, come on bruhs we arent noobs here, we know that triangle theories are flawed .

we could also play tenny > ward > hughes if we wanted to go that route

tenny gets stopped because he's cant hold a shot, but maxi has 5 stoppages in like 30 fights

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 20:27 tenny would give him a much tougher fight than straffon did, it's a totally different dynamic, come on bruhs we arent noobs here, we know that triangle theories are flawed .

we could also play tenny > ward > hughes if we wanted to go that route

tenny gets stopped because he's cant hold a shot, but maxi has 5 stoppages in like 30 fights

That’s kind of where I am and I can’t see it being anything other than a really good fight.

A win over Selby would get him further up the rankings but would unlikely be a good fight.

really good win there for maxi ,backing up his run of some really good wins against carroll particaly, did well put it on him and broke Straffon fair play well done

maxi tweeted this begging for another fight, i like him vs tenny next