Maxi Hughes takes on yet another tough assignment this Saturday evening, as he travels to Las Vegas for a WBA and IBF lightweight title eliminator against the unbeaten William Zepeda at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.
Oscar De La Hoya‘s Golden Boy promote Zepeda vs Hughes and DAZN televise this card live.
Hughes (26-6-2, 5 KOs) has constantly defied the odds in recent times, having been something of a domestic nearly-man until 2020.
An upset points win against Jono Carroll started an upturn in fortunes for the Yorkshireman, and he backed that up with another surprise victory on the cards against Viktor Kotochigov in Dubai.
The vacant British title followed, and the 34-year-old then picked up the IBO title with a points win against Jovanni Straffon, before defending impressively with a decision victory against Ryan Walsh, and then a majority verdict against Kid Galahad.
That win catapulted ‘Maximus’ into the world title picture, and he looked to have done more than enough to upset former unified champion George Kambosos Jr last July.
The judges saw it differently though, and awarded the Australian a majority decision win.
Mexico’s Zepeda (29-0, 25 KOs) represents another stiff test for Hughes, with the 27-year-old in fine form.
The Mexican southpaw, who is ranked as the number one contender in both the WBC and WBA, routed JoJo Diaz on the cards in October 2022, and then knocked out Jaime Arboleda in April 2023, before stopping the experienced Mercito Gesta in six in September.
Prediction: I think as brave and game as Hughes has been in upsetting the applecart, I think his run will come to an end here at the hands of Zepeda, who can take the win after the halfway mark.
Schofield returns
A couple of ten rounders head the undercard.
Floyd Schofield takes part in his fifth scheduled ten rounder on the spin, as he meets Esteuri Suero at lightweight.
Last time out @KidAustin11 made a 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 ⏪
The lightweight returns this Saturday 🤩#ZepedaHughes | Mar 16 | Live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/6q7ASgPQMP
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 13, 2024
Schofield (16-0, 12 KOs) is coming off a first round win against Ricardo Lopez Torres in December, while Suero (13-1, 10 KOs) also won in a round against Marlyn Cabrera, after losing a decision to Starling Castillo in May last year.
Prediction: Schofield can win on points.
Priest clashes with Charles
Middleweight prospect Eric Priest (12-0, 8 KOs) goes up to ten round level for the first time, and he should be able to halt Jose Sanchez Charles (21-4-1, 12 KOs), inside the distance.
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Remaining Undercard
Tristan Kalkreuth (12-1, 9 KOs) should secure his fifth consecutive win, by taking a stoppage win against Marquice Weston (15-2-1, 8 KOs) in their cruiserweight contest set for eight.
Debutant Joel Iriarte, a 17-time national champion, should make his bow with a points win over six at welterweight against Bryan Alexis Carguacundo (3-5-2).
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