Veteran Doncaster lightweight Maxi Hughes falls short in WBA eliminator setback

One judge ruled that his fight with Tajik prospect Bakhodur Usmonov in the IBA Pro Boxing promotion at the Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Dubai had been a draw.

But the other adjudicators thought Usmonov had done enough: (Glenn Feldman 113-115, Rafael Ramos 112-116 and Guillermo Perez Pineda 114-114.)

At 35 years of age, it was a bitter experience for the Doncaster veteran who lost his IBO lightweight crown by a hotly-disputed majority decision in 2023.

Hughes had started confidently in this WBA eliminator, although he seemed to come off worse from an early clash of heads.

Rounds were close and hard to call, with no clear emerging victor.

Usmonov, a decent mover and seemingly bubbling with energy behind a high guard and sharp jab, looked to have moved ahead in the middle rounds, leaving Hughes in need of a KO.

The Brit showed plenty of grit, but seemed to fade while the orthodox favourite was obviously impressing the judges, veteran Texan boxing referee Ramos, in particular.

In the end, two-time Olympian Usmonov, 27, moved to 12 0 0, while the South Yorkshireman - who pinned his hopes on his experience - is now at 29 8 2.

The southpaw, formerly of Rossington, now living in Haxey, considered quitting the sport back in 2019 until former world champion Josh Warrington talked him out of it.

His fans will be hoping he continues to take on the best at 135lbs.

Meanwhile, at the Park Community Arena, Sheffield, there was a clean sweep of wins for all 11 home fighters on a Jamie Sheldon-Ryan Rhodes bill.

Ingle light heavyweight Red Johnson forced journeyman Tom Ramsden - his 10th straight victory - while Doncaster's Gideon Anaba, in the same weight division, stopped Kasra Zoughalian.

The other ten fights were points' wins, including headliner Connan Murray, who dominated most of his 10 rounds with Miroslav Serban.

Another Sheffield light heavyweight Naphtali Nembhard won every round against Robbie Chapman.

Doncaster's Jimmy Joe Flint, back from injury and campaigning after his defeat at Rovers' ground in May, said he was pleased to be "Back to winning ways."

He beat Mosborough journeyman Paul Scaife, who bowed out of the sport, afterwards with a 1-61-1 record.

Boxing manager Josh Wale said it was the: "End of an era. Our original road man has had his last fight...he’s retiring. We’ve made the decision as a team - you have to know when the time is right to hang the gloves up. There’s more important things than boxing when you have a family, your health is your wealth and it definitely comes first.

"We’re all so proud of Paul, he will always be one of our greatest achievements.

"He leaves us with 63 fights under his belt a lovely house he owns, nice car and a good job and has just recently taken his daughter to Disneyland. Hard as nails!"

The bill included:

Connan Murray 12 1 0, Cusworth,beat Miroslav Serban 15 21 2, Czechia super welter

Amaar Akbar, 9 0 0, Batley, bt Nathan Darby 2 33 3, Rotherham, super welter

Kelsey Leonard 3 0 0, Ireland, bt Katherine Quintana 0 38 1, Spain super light

Adam Geelan, 3 0 1, Sheffield bt Joe Hardy 5 40 1, Leeds, middle

Joshua Simms, debut, Sheffield bt Ben Vickers 2 1 0, London, heavy

Jimmy Joe Flint 15 3 2, Doncaster, bt Paul Scaife 1 60 1, Mosborough, super light

Nazir Younus 2 0 0, Sheffield bt Benito Hrynkiewicz 0 1 0, Swindon super light

Naphtali Nembhard 6 0 0, Sheffield, bt Robbie Chapman 13 64 10, London, super middle

Red Johnson 9 0 0, Sheffield bt Tom Ramsden 8 20 3, Grimsby super middle

Mohammed Subhaan 10 1 0, Bradford/Sheffield bt Kasey Bradnum, Essex 1 38 0 light

Gideon Anaba 1 0 0, Doncaster, TKOd Kasra Zoughalian 0 5 0, Wakefield light heavy.

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