Maxi Hughes wins British Title with eighth round stoppage of Paul Hyland Jnr

The Maxi Hughes story continues as the 31-year-old from Rossington in Yorkshire won the vacant British Lightweight Crown on an MTK Global show from the Bolton Whites Hotel. The show was streamed live by IFL TV.

Against the odds wins over Jono Carroll and Viktor Kotochigov have seen a huge resurgence in Hughes' fortunes and now to be crowned British 135lb champion must seem like a dream come true.

Belfast's Hyland Jnr played his part in a tough battle but Hughes always had an edge, and gradually wore down the Irishman until the ending came at 1:20 of the 8th round in bizarre circumstances after Hyland Jnr was dropped by a right hook to the body. Hyland Jnr stayed on his haunches which does not count as a knockdown. Referee Mark Lyson sent Hughes to a neutral corner but realising that Hyland Jnr had not touched down then waved Hughes back in. Hyland Jnr had already started to walk back to his corner when Hughes landed a right hand that dropped the Irishman on his back. Although he rose at the count of nine, Lyson ended the fight.

Hyland Jnr's team have a legitimate argument to demand a rematch due to the controversial ending, but whether they will remains to be seen as Hughes may be a step too far for the 30-year-old Belfast man at this stage in his career.