Exclusive:Maxi Hughes v Lewis Sylvester: Doncaster boxer out to prove the fire still burns bright at Eco-Power Stadium
Doncaster boxer Maxi Hughes looks ahead to his lightweight battle with Hull’s Lewis Sylvester
Maxi Hughes’ wife is keen for him to hang up the gloves - but the seasoned Doncaster lightweight insists there is still fire in his belly.
The 36-year-old started his professional career back in 2010 and reached the 40-bout mark in March, losing to Pierce O’Leary in Dublin after stepping in as a late replacement.
He has decided to get straight back in the saddle, taking on a battle with Hull’s Lewis Sylvester at the Eco-Power Stadium in his hometown scheduled for Saturday (May 16).
Maxi Hughes out to prove a point
“I asked those questions [about retirement] after the Piece O’Leary fight,” he told The Yorkshire Post. “I had a good chat with my wife, who is keen for me to retire.
“I spoke to [ex-boxer] Stephen Smith, who was there with one of his lads. He said ‘you’ll just know when you’re ready’. With that in mind, I know it’s not now. I’ve got to [prove people wrong].
“It's nice for me to have that pressure. I'm putting it on myself. My wife's put the pressure on me. She says ‘alright, you you can carry on boxing, but if you don't look good, then I don't think you should be carrying on’. I've got to go out there, prove to myself and prove to my wife I've still got what it takes and I've still got that ability and desire.”
Sweeping losses aside
Hughes will be boxing on a bill topped by fellow Doncastrian Dave Allen, who is enjoying an Indian summer and will lock horns with heavyweight star Filip Hrgovic.
The two Yorkshiremen have both proven that losses are not always defining - and that boxing is not quite as linear as many make it out to be. Hughes had seven losses on his record when he scored an upset victory over Gary Cully in December 2024, months before he defeated Archie Sharp for the WBC silver lightweight title in Doncaster.
“I've been about a long time,” said Hughes. “I'm in my 16th year as a professional, so I've never let a loss bother me.
“I always get straight back to work and straight back on the horse. I've got a good team around me, my trainer and my manager. I've always bounced back and it's been my mentality. I understand I've learnt from the losses, I’m not going to let them define me. It took me three attempts to win the British title. A lot of people would have given up.
“I suppose I paved the way to show that losses don't mean anything with what I've gone on to achieve. When I turned pro, I barely set the world on fire with my debut, but I’m one of the very few fighters from the UK who've got a headline in Las Vegas.”
Sylvester is eight years Hughes’ junior at 28 and has a cleaner record, with just one defeat in 18. However, Hughes has faced considerably sterner challenges.
“He hasn't really showed any different from his debut up to now, so I wouldn't say I'm concerned,” said Hughes. “We've got an array of sparring for it, so I'll just be well-prepared and I'll be concentrating on myself, and then expecting to do a job on him.”