Pierce O’Leary captured the vacant IBO super lightweight title on Saturday night after Maxi Hughes’ corner ended their fight after five rounds at the 3Arena in Dublin.
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The stoppage gave O’Leary (19-0, 10 KOs) the first world title of his professional career and the biggest win of his undefeated run. Hughes (29-9-2, 6 KOs), who accepted the fight on short notice and moved up from the lightweight division, was pulled from his corner before the start of Round 6.
O’Leary controlled much of the fight from the opening round, rarely allowing Hughes to settle into a rhythm. Fighting in front of a loud Dublin crowd, the 26-year-old Irish contender pushed forward and consistently forced exchanges as Hughes tried to move around the ring and keep his distance.
The size and age difference between the two fighters became noticeable early on. Hughes, now 36, tried to box off the back foot but O’Leary repeatedly closed the distance and walked the veteran down.
O’Leary stalked Hughes around the ring for much of the fight, landing hooks when he trapped him near the ropes. The pressure rarely let up, forcing Hughes to stay on the move and defend for long stretches. After hurting Hughes in the fourth round, O’Leary began attacking more aggressively and looked reckless at times as he chased the finish line.
Hughes did land some clean shots that snapped O’Leary’s head back during exchanges. It was fortunate for O’Leary that Hughes is not known as a heavy puncher, as those moments hinted at the kind of openings a stronger puncher might be able to exploit.
By the end of the fifth round, Hughes’ corner decided their fighter had had enough. Trainer Sean O’Hagan informed the referee that Hughes would not return for the sixth round, ending the bout.
The result gives O’Leary his first world title and another step forward in his unbeaten career. Hughes drops to 29-9-2 after a tough assignment against a younger and physically stronger opponent.
Last updated on 2026/03/14 at 18:08
