Maxi Hughes vs Paul Hyland Jr set for March 19th, Liam Walsh still recovering

After enjoying a breakout 2020, Maxi Hughes is set for his first effort of 2021. MTK Global announced yesterday that with Liam Walsh “still recovering from COVID-19,” Hughes will take his place against Paul Hyland Jr on March 19th.

The vacant British lightweight title fight is chief support for Karim Guerfi’s long-delayed European title defense against Lee McGregor.

“Maximus” (22-5-2, 4 KO) entered last year having thoroughly established himself as an “opponent,” beating low-level opposition while falling to up-and-comers like Scott Cardle, Sam Bowen, and the aforementioned Walsh. His greatest accomplishment was forcing a draw against Martin Joseph Ward, who went on to beat him twice. Jono Carroll, meanwhile, was less than half a year removed from a career-best mauling of Scott Quigg.

Hughes wound up scoring a massive upset, then knocked Viktor Kotochigov from the ranks of the unbeaten two months later.

Hyland (20-2, 7 KO) has yet to turn that same corner. His two biggest fights to date saw him demolished in one round by Lewis Ritson and stopped in six by Francesco Patera.