Maxi Hughes Plans to Put Kid Galahad Away for Good
On September 24, Maxi “Maximus” Hughes (25-2-2, 5 KOs) will make the second defense of the IBO lightweight title against ex-IBF featherweight champ “Kid” Galahad (28-2, 17 KOs) at Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, England, live on DAZN.
Hughes is a fighter on a resurgence. After a decision loss to former 130-pound world title challenger Liam Walsh in November 2019, he’s won his last six bouts. Maximus captured the IBO belt with a decision win over Javanni Saffron in September 2021. That was followed by making easy work of Ryan Walsh by unanimous decision in March 2022.
However, many British pundits view Hughes as an underdog against Galahad, who is fighting for the first time since losing the featherweight title by a shocking fifth-round KO to Kiko Martinez in November 2021.
Ranked twelfth by the IBF, Hughes scoffs at the notion that the former featherweight champ can beat him. During an interview with Matchroom Boxing, the 32-year-old southpaw says he will beat Galahad with the hope a win moves him up further in the world rankings.
READY TO PROVE THE CRITICS WRONG
“I hope he has a plan in place for life after boxing because after Saturday night, he’s got nowhere to go. He was featherweight champion, and he was looking to go to super feather, so I am surprised that he’s jumping up two weights to face me.
It’s a high-profile fight. He’s been IBF champion, and they usually regard their champions highly. So, they may rank him highly. So, beating KG should improve my ranking. It would be nice to get a top-five ranking with them and move towards a bigger fight. It’s the same every time for me, get this one won, and a bigger fight could be next.”
Having tunnel vision is a good trait for any fighter. It currently applies to Hughes. For him, it’s all about putting in the work and piling up the wins. He’s proven his doubters wrong before and intends on proving them wrong once again when he steps in the ring with Galahad.
“He’s in the way of me providing for my family. I’m the underdog and I love that. He was a world champion in his last fight so he’s a high-caliber opponent. That’s really getting the juices flowing. I have faith in my ability and where I am in my team. I’m not one for bold predictions. I just want a win however it comes, and I believe I am going to get it.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
