Headline NewsLatestNewsPro NewsTop News of The Day

Introducing: Gerard Hughes – debuts this weekend

A new look Gerard Hughes will be on display when most fight fans get their first look at the latest addition to the scene this weekend.

The Belfast-based boxer finally makes his pro bow in England on Saturday night. The Kevin Maree-guided fighter punches for pay for the first time against Steven Maguire [4(2)-29(6)-1] at the Oldham Leisure Centre on Saturday.

The bout will provide some with the first-ever chance to see the Ballycastle native in action and he predicts those that did follow his amateur career will also believe they are watching him for the first time.

Hughes reveals Irish-Boxing.com Coach of the Year Dee Walsh has completely changed how he views boxing and thus how he approaches fighting.

“Working with Dee gives me a whole new outlook on boxing, he’s a great teacher and all his accomplishments with his fighters speak for themselves. He’s moulded me into a completely different boxer than the one I was in the amateurs. I can’t wait to show that starting this weekend,” Hughes told Irish-boxing.com.

Describing what the style may look like he suggests its multi-faceted

“Expect to see a bit of everything, if I need to go forward and apply pressure I’ll do that, if I need to box and control I’ll do that to, I’ve been out two years, so I just can’t wait to get in there and get the rust off.”

Hughes, whose opponent comes into the fight on the back of stoppage win over a debutant, is excited to end his fight sabbatical and get his career off and running this weekend. He also suggests he is more than ready for whatever challenges come his way having spent two years training alongside the likes of Padraig McCrory, Colm Murphy, Owen O’Neill, and Conor Quinn.

“I’m buzzing,” he adds. “My last fight was just before the pandemic in the National Stadium, so to get training the last two years in a pro setup has been great, I’ve got great experience learning off all the stable and the sparring I’ve got has been unbelievable.”

Discussing why he elected to turn over at this year he said: “I first spoke to Dee about turning over in January, then i spoke to a few managers and promoters about it. I weighed up the options, and thought it was best as there wasn’t really anything happening in the amateurs.”

For now his plans a relatively simple, just stay busy and keep progressing.

“I want to stay active and keep learning and building. I hope to finish 2022 with 2 fights and then push on in 2023.”

Photo Credit Mark Mead

irishboxing

Integral part of the Irish boxing community for over 13 years

x