Dalton Smith celebrates as Maxi Hughes ponders future
The Doncaster fighter questioned the judging of his points loss to Giorgio Visioli as Dalton Smith celebrated retaining his WBC world super lightweight title.
The ups and downs of boxing are on show today following a rollercoaster weekend at Sheffield Arena.
The Matchroom bill was headed by Handsworth's Dalton Smith, who triumphed over Alberto Puello to retain his WBC world super lightweight title and raise the prospect of a multi-million-pound unification fight.
But the chief support bout didn't go as well for South Yorkshire fight fans.
And now Doncaster's Maxi Hughes is thinking of throwing in the towel after a 41-fight career which saw him rise to become IBO world lightweight title holder.
On Saturday, he lost a points decision to Matchroom prospect Giorgio Visioli, with two judges scoring it 96-94 against him and the third calling it a 95-95 draw.
Hughes finished strongly and later went on YouTube to thank his supporters while questioning the judging.
"How do I feel about it? I feel like it is another kick in the b*******" he said.
"I feel disappointed, I feel sad, I feel angry, frustrated - all of those things."
He said it had been painful to come to terms with the judging, after listening to remarks from his corner and others, reading online comments, and noting that there had been booing from the Arena crowd when the decision was read out.
"Look at my face, I haven't got a mark on me. I feel so fresh.
"I don't know what the future holds for me in boxing...I am f****** tired of it...fed up."
He said there had been no question about his last fight, a stoppage loss to Ireland's Pierce O'Leary: "I was beat by the better man.
He said he thought he had shown, at 36, that "I've still got a bit.
"I don't know if I will be returning to the ring ever."
Meanwhile, Smith is savouring the successful defence of his WBC belt and has dreams of staging his next fight at Sheffield Wednesday's ground, with Arctic Monkeys performing live during his ring walk.
"I want a big fight at Hillsborough,” Smith said.
"That big carrot's been dangled all the way through this fight (v Puello.)
"And I'm like: ‘Right, block out that noise. You've got a tough task in front of you.’
"Eddie (Hearn, promoter) will start those conversations and once I've had a little break, the conversations will go on.
"I want Hillsborough, Arctic Monkeys, and have a proper Sheffield night.
"Right now, I'm going to enjoy this victory for a couple of weeks, and then we'll start those conversations."