Oct 29,2024
Kildare's Gary Cully will put his WBA Continental lightweight title on the line against England’s Maxi Hughes in Monaco in December in another step-up fight which could lead to a possible challenge for world honours.
Cully defeated Belgium’s former European champion Francesco Patera in Leeds last time out in May, following up on his victory over Reece Mould on the undercard of Katie Taylor last November.
'The Diva’ has been on the comeback trail since a shock loss to Jose Felix last May with this bout another rise in class against the experienced Englishman.
Hughes (27-7-2) has already beaten Irish boxers, Jono Carroll and Paul Hyland Junior.
He has also fought for an IBO world title against George Kambosos Jr and also unbeaten Mexican star
William Zepeda, two leading fighters in the division.
Hughes earned an impressive stoppage win over Efstathios Antonas in Sheffield last month.
While both boxers were seeking a big-name bout, they have agreed to face off knowing victory will very likely lead to a major bout in 2025.
There will be a familiar name to Irish boxing fans on the card as amateur star turned 5-0 professional Beatriz Ferreira makes the first defence of her IBF Lightweight world title against France’s former European Champion Licia Boudersa (23-2-2, 4 KOs).
Ferreira was beaten by Kellie Harrington in the Olympic semi-final in Paris earlier this summer as she paused her professional career to return to the amateur ranks.
She captured the IBF belt against Yanina del Carmen Lescano in Liverpool earlier this year before facing Harrington.
The card is headlined by Uzbekistani Murodjon Akhmadaliev attempting to become a two-time world champion when he takes on Mexican knockout artist Ricardo Espinoza Franco for the interim WBA Super-Bantamweight world crown.
"I can’t wait to return to breathtaking Monte-Carlo for a magnificent night of world championship boxing on 14 December," said Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn, who described Cully v Hughes as a "big Ireland vs. England match-up".
