Maxi Hughes vs Kid Galahad – Results & Post-Fight Report

Maxi Hughes defended his IBO lightweight title for a second time, as he took a majority decision win against former world champion Kid Galahad at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.

The original bill topper was due to be home hero Leigh Wood defending his WBA featherweight title against Mauricio Lara, but Wood was forced to withdraw due to injury.

Hughes (26-5-2, KO5) came into this one in the form of his life, having had a superb two years, which included winning British and WBC International titles before winning the IBO strap with a points win over Jovanni Straffon in September last year. He made a first defence in March, widely outscoring Ryan Walsh. Galahad (28-3, KO17) fulfilled a dream of becoming IBF world champion at featherweight in August last year, but his first defence saw his world come crashing down, as Kiko Martinez stopped him in six three months later.

Galahad began confidently in this one early on, as he enjoyed a decent first couple of rounds, but Hughes warmed to his task, and he edged into the argument, although rounds were difficult to score. Hughes was landing with his left hand which was giving him a foothold in the contest, but rounds were scrappy, and it was a matter of what you liked. The second half saw some good body work from Galahad, but round nine was Hughes’ best to date, as he landed cleanly, and landed again with his left hand with regularity. Galahad was docked a point for use of his head in round ten, which buoyed Hughes, but again the Yorkshireman lead with his jab, that seemingly was keeping him more than alive in the bout. Hughes’ workrate enabled him to finish strongly in the final round, and as the fight reached its conclusion, the outcome seemed up for grabs.

Scores of 117-111 and 114-113 won the day for Hughes, with a third card scored 114-114.

Terri Harper (13-1-1, KO6) took the WBA and IBO super welterweight titles, as she defeated Hannah Rankin (12-6, KO3) in an impressive points win.

Harper previously reigned as WBC and IBO champion at super featherweight, and fought at lightweight in her last fight. The Dennaby Main native was moving up some three weight divisions to face Rankin.

Harper was way too quick and accurate for the Scot in the early going, and Rankin developed a nasty cut above her left eye. Harper remained a step ahead almost throughout, and did tire in the late stages, but took the win by two scores of 98-92 and a third at 97-93.

Cyrus Pattinson (5-0 KO3) took his first professional title, as he stopped Jorick Luisetto (12-5, KO3) in the sixth round of their scheduled ten rounder. Pattinson claimed the vacant IBO Continental welterweight title as a result of his latest win.

Solomon Dacres (5-1, KO1) stayed perfect, and was taken the full ten rounds by Ariel Esteban Bracamonte (11-10, KO6) at heavyweight. Dacres was deducted a point in round nine for a low blow, but he won every round as he took three 99-90 verdicts.

Cheavon Clarke (3-0, KO3) scored another early win, as the cruiserweight stopped Marcos Karalitzky (7-6-2, KO2) in four rounds.

Peterborough middleweight Mohammed Sameer (5-0, KO1) remained undefeated, winning all four rounds against the tried and tested Dale Arrowsmith (4-66-2, KO1).

Junaid Bostan (3-0, KO3) also stayed perfect, ending the unbeaten record of Belgium’s Anas Isarti (2-1, KO0) at super welterweight, and at lightweight, Rhiannon Dixon (6-0 KO0) took all six rounds against Edina Kiss (15-16, KO9).