Maxi Hughes’s comic punchline before fight night

Maxi Hughes has gone into the 41st fight-week of his career with a witty jab at one of his own followers.

An Instagram poster went online to ask: "Any chance of that 20 quid I lost on you in the O'Leary fight?"

That was a reference to the Doncaster fighter being stopped in five rounds by Irishman Pierce O'Leary in Dublin in March.

Sportsmen don't always respond to potentially unsatisfied customers over the internet.

But Hughes, with a dry sense of humour, responded: "Sorry pal. Please gamble responsibly."

It is an insight into veteran Hughes' unflustered mindset as he awaits a bout with Lewis Sylvester at the Eco Power Stadium on Saturday.

The fight is a 10-round super-lightweight contest and both men know victory could move them towards major domestic opportunities before the end of the year.

Hughes, now 36, enters with vastly greater experience despite the setback against O'Leary.

The Haxey southpaw has mixed at world level and built a reputation on movement, patience and ring intelligence.

Hull fighter Sylvester, 28, brings an 18-1 record and a more aggressive approach. He likes to apply pressure, throw in volume and force opponents into physical exchanges.

South Yorkshire fight fans know plenty about Sylvester already. He owns victories over Doncaster's Reece Mould and Sheffield pair Owen Durham and Lee Connelly.

Those wins, and appearances in places including Monte Carlo and Dubai, show Sylvester is comfortable fighting away from home and capable of handling awkward opposition.

But Hughes (29-9-2) represents a different kind of challenge entirely.

Stylistically, the contest could hinge on whether Hughes can control distance and tempo. If he establishes his jab and keeps Sylvester turning, his experience may gradually frustrate the Hull man.

Sylvester’s route to victory is likely to come through making the fight rough and demanding.

Former IBO world champion Hughes remains elusive, but the younger man's pressure and work-rate could become dangerous in the later rounds.

For Hughes, victory would silence any suggestions that the O'Leary defeat marked the beginning of the end.

Another strong performance on home soil could reopen doors to significant televised fights.

For Sylvester, beating a respected former world champion in his own backyard would become the biggest result of his career and push him towards bigger national fights.

But Hughes has spent years proving people wrong.

And, with a home crowd behind him at the Eco Power in Doncaster on the Dave Allen bill, the veteran will believe skill and experience can still overcome youth and momentum.