Maxi Hughes will look to continue his outstanding momentum as he puts his IBO lightweight title on the line against former IBF featherweight champion, Kid Galahad this Saturday at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham. This bout was initially slated as chief support, with the original main event being Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara but an injury to Wood saw that bout get cancelled, making way for Hughes vs Galahad to headline.
Hughes is on the best run of his career, after defeating Jono Carroll in August 2020, Hughes went on a tremendous run, firstly defeating the feared prospect Viktor Kotochigov before going on to pick up the British title by defeating Paul Hyland Jr. A shot at Jovanni Straffon's IBO title came next and Hughes delivered a stunning performance to defeat the champion by unanimous decision. Ryan Walsh was the last opponent for Hughes and yet again, Hughes delivered as he boxed beautifully on his way to another wide unanimous decision.
Galahad will be coming into this bout looking to bounce back from a shock knockout loss last time out. Galahad earned a shot at the IBF featherweight title in 2019, which was held by Hughes' training partner, Josh Warrington. Galahad would come up short that night, in a close fight in which many believed Galahad should've gotten the decision. Galahad regrouped and went straight into a final eliminator for the same belt against Claudio Marrero, a fight in which Galahad dominated Marrero to finish him in the eighth round. Warrington had vacated the IBF title, so Galahad fought Jazza Dickens for the vacant belt, and Galahad would defeat Dickens convincingly to become world champion. However, the first defence did not go to plan, as he was brutally stopped in round six by Kiko Martinez. Galahad now steps up two weights to challenge Hughes and will be looking to replicate a performance similar to how he dealt with Dickens.
The undercard sees former WBC and IBO super featherweight champion Terri Harper leap up to super welterweight to challenge WBA and IBO champion, Hannah Rankin. Harper lost her belts at super feather to Alycia Baumgardner and opted to move up to lightweight, where she defeated Yamila Belen Abellaneda on points but now steps up a further three weights to challenge Rankin, who will be making the second defence of her belts following her successful retention over Alejandra Ayala last time out. It is worth noting that Rankin has competed against some of the toughest women in boxing, including both Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall.
Heavyweight prospect Solomon Dacres returns to fight English veteran, Dominic Akinlade in Dacres' first ten-round fight as he looks to move to 5-0. Cyrus Pattinson will look to pick up his first title as he faces Jorick Luisetto for the vacant IBO continental welterweight title. Team GB Olympian Cheavon Clarke also looks to keep working through the ranks as he returns to the ring for the third time as a pro this Saturday.
Nico Leivars will be looking to impress on his return as his last fight ended as a technical draw due to a cut to his opponent, so expect fireworks from a returning Leivars. Matchroom's latest signing, Junaid Bostan will look to continue his journey as a pro as he looks to move to 3-0. Finally, Anthony Crolla-trained lightweight, Rhiannon Dixon will be looking to move to 5-0 this Saturday.
An action-packed night is what looks instore for Nottingham this Saturday, as Hughes and Galahad collide at the top of a stacked bill at the Motorpoint Arena, which can be watched live on DAZN.