Maxi Hughes harbours world title aspirations as veteran heads into career-defining showdown

Maxi Hughes is hoping to keep his retirement plans on the back-burner on Friday night knowing victory over Archie Sharp would land him the WBC Silver lightweight belt and propel him right into the mix for a crack at a coveted world title.

The 35-year-old has forged an impressive career in the sport, defying the odds to establish himself as the IBO champion of the world between 2021 and 2023.

Despite being written off on too many occasions to mention, and having never had the full, long-term backing of a major boxing promoter, the Doncaster-born star has fought and grafted his way to shock wins and decent paydays, even if, for now, one of the big four titles has eluded him.

That could all change in the coming months however, with Hughes - who has recently spoken of potentially calling time on his career - fully aware of the potential riches awaiting him if he can see off Queensberry contender Sharp this evening.

"My mum is absolutely desperate as well for me to stop - she thinks this is my last one," he told Boxing News ahead of tonight's bout.

She’s telling herself this is my last one, but I’m like, ‘No, mum, this is a stepping stone.’ I win this, I’m WBC silver champion, and I’m closer to that world title shot.

- Maxi Hughes (Boxing News)

"So it’s not over yet. Again, a year on from now and another two fights in who knows, but I’m still not ready to commit on when that time is going to come."

The Yorkshireman originally said he would likely have five more fights left in his career but has since beaten Efstathios Antonas and, more impressively, Gary Culley, with Sharp set to represent the third of that quintet of potential scraps.

The fighter is still hinting that he could bow out of professional boxing after two or three more bouts, but admits that could all change if a 'Josh Padley-like' deal fell into his lap.

"We’ve done a year and two fights so far, then it’ll be number three fighting Sharp so that’ll be another fight or two left," he added.

"It all depends what those fights are. Now, if I get an opportunity like Josh Padley got (against Shakur Stevenson) and a payday like that, then I think that would be very easy for me to go, ‘You know what, love? I’ll turn it in now.’

"But let's see, I have a big opportunity in front of me this weekend, and it's one I am absolutely determined to take with both hands."

Mark Mothershaw

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