Maxi Hughes Earns Dominant UD Over Ryan Walsh
Maxi “Maximus” Hughes (25-5-2, 5KOs), in addition to holding the IBO lightweight title, holds down the #12 spot with the IBF in a talent rich division. Maximus successfully defended that ranking by defeating Ryan Walsh (28-3-2, 12KOs).
Walsh is on his last leg. Fighting at the age of 35 years old, the window of opportunity has possibly closed. He has spoiled the advances of undefeated fighter Tyrone McCullagh and Hairon Socarras. However, he suffered defeats from former world champion Lee Selby and former title challenger James Dickens.
Maximus has been on a tear since shocking the world by defeating former title challenger Jono Carroll back in 2020. He has not lost a fight since losing to another former title challenger in Liam Walsh back in 2019. Riding a six-fight win streak, it will be interesting to see if his team decides now is the time to move towards the world level.
THE BOXER TOOK CONTROL EARLY
Walsh right away came out looking to get in the chest of Hughes and make it a rough fight. He had the power advantage and landed a decent counter left hand was the most offense he produced in the early round.
Hughes settled down and went to work landing the jab and found a home for several counter-left hands. Moreover, he used good footwork to land sharp uppercuts and hooks to the body then retreat to mid-range. Maximus was putting on a superior boxing display controlling the early rounds of the fight.
In round three, there was a clash of heads that left a cut over Walsh’s left eye, but the referee ruled it came from a punch. Nonetheless, the second half of the fight was all Hughes. The #12 ranked fighter continued to use the jab to control the more aggressive Walsh.
Furthermore, Hughes knew that his opponent fought at 144 pounds three months ago. He started going to the body, landing double left and right hooks to the body. Hughes was able to avoid wide looping punches from Walsh, countering with straight left hands and thudding right hooks to the body.
MAINTAINING CONTROL DOWN THE STRETCH
The fight looked like Walsh was fighting in slow-motion mode as he was getting counter and seemed a step behind throughout the fight. Walsh tried a few times to create offense by turning orthodox, but whenever he landed one punch, three punches were hitting him right back.
Hughes’ sideways movement and pole-like jab were carrying the fight. The high-guard defense was perfect as Hughes kept the chin tucked in and elbows in tight to avoid those body shot attempts.
Fighting comfortably off the backfoot, Maximus landed back-to-back left uppercuts and followed them up with more left hooks on the temple of Walsh. Going towards the final bell, Hughes never abandoned the jab or footwork that told the story of the fight.
The judges scored the fight 120-108, 119-109, and 118-110, all for the Maximus. 3Kings Boxing agrees with the middle scorecard as Hughes put on a supreme boxing display.
Reading Time: 3 minutes
By: Garrisson Bland
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