Life truly begins at 40 for Nina Hughes.
Momentum continues to roll for the unbeaten Brit from Billericay, Essex, who has signed a promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing. The move comes less than two weeks after Hughes claimed the WBA bantamweight title following a well-earned, ten-round win over previously unbeaten champ Jamie Mitchell on November 26 in Dubai.
“I’m really excited to be teaming up with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom," Hughes said of her joining the Matchroom stable. "I’m looking forward to boxing on the big stage in some big exciting fights. The aim will be to win more World Titles and unify in the Bantamweight division. I want the big fights that people want to see.”
With that goal, signing with one of the sport's leading promotional companies with a vast stable of top female boxers in the sport was a no-brainer—for both sides.
“I’m delighted to welcome another World Champion to the Matchroom stable in WBA Bantamweight champion Nina Hughes,” Eddie Hearn, chairman of Matchroom Sport said of his latest signing. “This is quite a remarkable story, after an impressive amateur career, Nina waited until she was 39 years old to turn professional and within 12 months captured the World Title against highly regarded Jamie Mitchell on away soil.
"She has now put herself in the frame for huge domestic and unification fights and we look forward to delivering what she deserves in 2023.”
Hughes (5-0, 2KOs) only recently celebrated her one-year anniversary in the pro ranks, with the mother of two making her debut at age 39 just last December 3.
The late entry came after a decorated but spread out amateur, once primed but ultimately denied a spot on the 2012 Great Britain Olympic boxing team that competed in London. Hughes stepped away shortly thereafter to start a family, getting married and then having the couple's first child before returning to the gym merely as means to get back into shape.
The boxing bug didn't take long to return from there, with Hughes keen on turning pro prior to the Covid lockdown. Following the birth of her second child, a strong push was made to resume her in-ring plans. It's been a whirlwind run ever since, winning the Commonwealth bantamweight title in just her third pro fight.
Hughes ended her first full year in the sport with by far the biggest win of her career in dethroning Mitchell, three months after celebrating her 40th birthday.
“It was an amazing feeling being crowned World Champion,” said Hughes. “It made all of the hard work and sacrifices over the years worthwhile. My dreams had finally become a reality. Hopefully it inspires girls around the world to follow their dreams and take up boxing no matter what obstacles get in the way.
"Not many people believed I could do it because of my age apart from my team and the people around me that know me well, so I was glad to prove everyone wrong."
The win comes as another major fight in her division takes place this Saturday in Leeds. New South Wales' Ebanie Bridges (8-1, 3KOs) looks to make the first defense of her IBF bantamweight title versus red-hot countrywoman Shannon O'Connell (23-6-1, 11KOs), who has won eight in a row.
“I am over the moon for Nina,” said Lee Eaton, Hughes' manager. “Nina came into the game very late turning pro at 39 and within 12 months she’s had five pro fights, won the WBO International and Commonwealth Titles, and then gone over to Dubai and beat the current WBA World Champion very comfortably. I’ve known Nina a long time as we are both from same area – it’s a mad situation! I messaged Nina about turning over in 2017 and she said she couldn’t be bothered with selling tickets!
"Now five years later she’s World Champion within 12 months which is a very proud moment for me as her manager and friend. When I signed Nina we always had the aim of becoming World Champion but to do it this quick is incredible. We want the big fights straight away – Shannon Courtenay or Ebanie Bridges next would be ideal. With Matchroom’s backing I believe she can go on to unify the division and even become undisputed."
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for krikya360.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox