Maxi Hughes gets surprise world title chance
South Yorkshire's Maxi Hughes has the chance to become a two-weight IBO world champion when he challenges unbeaten Pierce O'Leary for the vacant super-lightweight title on March 14 in Dublin.
The Doncaster fighter accepted the bout at short notice after Mark Chamberlain withdrew through illness, stepping into a 12-round contest at the 3Arena on a Queensberry Promotions bill.
Hughes announced the fight, saying: “Fight news.. what an opportunity to become two-weight IBO champion; one I’m taking with both hands and more than confident on winning. Yes it’s short notice but this is what we live for.”
Queensberry promoter Frank Warren confirmed the late change, explaining Chamberlain’s withdrawal due to illness while insisting the Dublin show still had a strong undercard.
Hughes carries a professional record of 29 wins, eight defeats and two draws after turning professional in 2010.
He previously won the IBO lightweight title in September 2021, defeating Jovanni Straffon by unanimous decision in Leeds.
Recent victories include decisions over Gary Cully and Archie Sharp before a majority ruling loss to Bakhodur Usmonov in December 2025.
Preparations for that last fight, in Dubai, were disrupted when his trainer, Sean O’Hagan, suffered a heart attack on the morning of the fight.
Surprisingly, BoxRec currently lists Hughes rated No 29 at lightweight globally and No 4 among British fighters in the division.
O’Leary enters the fight with an unbeaten 18-0 record, including 10 stoppages since turning professional in 2019.
The Dublin boxer is the European super-lightweight champion and a former WBC International title holder at the same weight.
O’Leary is rated at No 25 worldwide at super-lightweight and No 1 among Irish fighters in the division.
The 26-year-old most recently stopped Braian Esequiel Ronner in December as he continued his rise through the ranks.
Earlier this year O’Leary said he felt confident ahead of the planned Dublin world title bout, stating: “I feel untouchable at the moment.”
Betting markets currently list O’Leary as the favourite, with odds around 3/10, while Hughes, from Haxey, is priced at about 5/2 for the contest.
But Hughes has faced deeper top-level opposition, including former world champions and contenders such as George Kambosos Jr. and Sheffield's Kid Galahad, while Pierce O'Leary’s unbeaten run has largely come against developing or fringe contenders.