Maxi Hughes, the seasoned Yorkshire boxer, is making waves as he prepares to step into the ring in Dublin this Saturday. Hughes is not just there to collect a paycheck; he’s aiming to add another Irish scalp to his impressive collection. With a list that already includes James Fryers, Paul Hyland Jr, Jono Carroll, and Gary Cully, Hughes is setting his sights on Pierce O’Leary.
Taking the bout on just two weeks’ notice, Hughes replaced O’Leary’s original opponent, Mark Chamberlain. Despite the short preparation time, Hughes is confident in his ability to secure a victory. “I wouldn’t say it’s been a training camp,” Hughes admitted. “We got the fight on two weeks’ notice. The week before I got the phone call I was up in Belfast doing a week’s sparring with Colm Murphy. Other than that, I was just ticking over.”
While many view this bout as a showcase opportunity for O’Leary on his home turf, Hughes has crossed the Irish Sea with plans to disrupt those expectations. “I’m confident enough in accepting the fight,” he said. “I’m not just taking it to get paid. I truly believe in my own ability that I’ve got enough to get the win.”
The clash may have come together quickly, but Hughes’ mentality remains unchanged. Winning is always the goal. “That’s every fight,” he explained. “It’s not just this fight in particular. Every fight is always about getting the win.”
The veteran boxer insists that the competitive edge that has driven him throughout his career still burns strong. “I’ve still got ambition as a fighter,” he said. “And I’ve still got that ego where I want to win. I don’t just come and lay down.”
Hughes plans to rely on his experience and ring IQ to handle whatever unfolds on the night. “Just adapt,” he said. “Make whatever adjustments I need to make and do what I need to do to win.” Hughes and O’Leary have crossed paths before, boxing on the same bill when Hughes beat Jono Carroll. “Pierce was on the undercard, so I’ve seen a couple of his fights,” Hughes recalled. However, he leaves the detailed breakdown of O’Leary’s style to his team. “I just let my coaches do the studying and they tell me what I need to know.”
With his sights set on victory, Maxi Hughes is ready to prove that he’s not just in Dublin for the payday, but to add another name to his list of conquered opponents.
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