Maxi Hughes reignited his career by outclassing and outpointing Gary Cully in Monte Carlo last Saturday night.

Although serious visa issues wreaked havoc on Hughes’ final preparations for his fight with William Zepeda in March, the heavy nature of the four round defeat the lightweight eventually suffered to the relentless Mexican led many to believe that his career at the top level may be over.

They couldn’t have been more wrong.

On Saturday night, former British and IBO champion, Hughes (28-7-2, 6 KOs), turned a crossroads fight with the dangerous Cully (18-2, 10 KOs), into an exhibition.

Those picking Hughes assumed that his knowledge and experience would be telling factors in the outcome but although the 35 year old’s calmness and know how undoubtedly played their part, Hughes was simply the better fighter.

The 6ft 2in tall Cully has significant height and reach advantages over almost every opponent he faces and is well versed in using his physical advantages, he just never got to grips with Hughes’ natural in and out style and accurate punch picking.

Hughes started brilliantly and produced a dominant fifth round to halt any semblance of momentum Cully had and sap the Irishman’s self belief. A terrible cut over his right eye turned the second half of the fight into a painful, frustrating survival mission for the 28 year-old Irishman, who spoke confidently about stopping Hughes before the fight.

“I just told Eddie, I’m 35 next and I feel as fresh as ever. I think I’m just getting going in this boxing. I think I might have a bright future,” Hughes joked to DAZN after the fight.

“That fight with Gary was four or five years in the making and respect to him but if you wanna run with he dogs, you can’t be pissing like a puppy.

“I work hard so I feel I deserve these [opportunities]. I always turn up and I give it my all and tonight, it was a shut out. I’m back on the money.”

Cully entered the fight ranked at number five with the WBA but so dominant was Hughes that, 14 years into his career, another attack on the world scene looks like a logical, sensible next step rather than a last ditch shot to nothing.

Hughes’ promoter, Lou DiBella certainly seems to agree. He took to social media after the fight to declare his delight at Hughes’ performance. When asked by a user to secure Hughes a title shot, DiBella stated, ‘Believe me, I’m on it. I hope @Turki_alalshikh was watching.’

Hughes does have options. The lightweight division is incredibly deep and packed with star names. Beating Cully should earn him a high WBA whilst over the past twelve months, a red hot British rival has emerged in the undefeated British, Commonwealth and European champion, Sam Noakes, who is well positioned with the IBF, WBO and WBC.

A rematch with former unified lightweight champion, George Kambosos, who Hughes was exceptionally unlucky to lose a majority decision to last July, would also be a major fight although the Australian has recently moved to 140lbs.

Whichever way Hughes eventually goes, he ends 2024 in a much better place than he might have expected after the loss to Zepeda.