Nina Hughes is a 41-year-old mother of two who has become the WBA bantamweight champion in boxing, defying age stereotypes.
Despite setbacks and limited opportunities for female boxers, Hughes remained committed to her dream of competing professionally.
After a break to have children, Hughes returned to boxing and quickly rose through the ranks, winning her first professional fight and subsequently defeating the reigning bantamweight champion.
Hughes plans to defend her title against former WBA bantamweight world champion Shannon Courtenay and compete against other world champions in pursuit of becoming the undisputed champion.
Hughes credits her determination and persistence as key factors in her success and serves as an inspiration to others who may face similar challenges in pursuing their dreams.
At 41 years old, Nina Hughes has shattered stereotypes and proven that age is just a number in her impressive journey to becoming the WBA bantamweight champion.
The mother of two continues to work part-time as a personal assistant to support her children, all while pursuing her passion for boxing.
Hughes’ love for the sport began when she attended boxercise classes at 25, eventually transitioning to competitive boxing.
After a successful amateur career, she was part of the British squad, competing alongside renowned fighters such as Nicola Adams.
Despite missing out on the 2012 London Olympics, Hughes never lost her passion for the sport.
Overcoming Obstacles and Finding Success
Her journey to the top was not without its challenges. Hughes faced many setbacks, including the disappointment of missing out on the Olympics and limited opportunities for female boxers to turn professional.
Despite these obstacles, Hughes remained committed to her dream, motivated by her love for the sport and her belief in her abilities.
After moving her training to a women’s gym, Hughes discovered her true potential and began to see success in her amateur career.
Her dedication and hard work earned her a place in the British squad, where she competed on the international stage.
However, Hughes felt she had hit her limit in boxing when she was overlooked for the London 2012 Olympics.
Comeback and Rapid Rise to the Top
Following a break from boxing to have her children, Hughes returned to training as a hobby, losing weight and reigniting her love for the sport.
It wasn’t until the 2020 coronavirus lockdown that she seriously considered competing again. She joined the professional Newlands gym in Wickford and quickly made a name for herself.
In December 2021, Hughes won her first professional fight, proceeding to win two more by stoppage in the following six months.
Her rapid rise led to a match against reigning bantamweight champion Jamie Mitchell.
Despite being the underdog, Hughes emerged victorious, earning a unanimous points win.
In December 2021, Hughes won her first professional fight, proceeding to win two more by stoppage in the following six months.
Breaking Barriers and Future Plans
Nina Hughes has defied expectations, not only because of her age but also her lack of professional experience.
The champion encourages others to never give up on their dreams, regardless of age, as she continues to prove herself in the ring.
Currently, Hughes is targeting a June bout against former WBA bantamweight world champion Shannon Courtenay, with hopes of defending her title for the first time.
Following that, she aims to compete against other world champions such as Ebanie Bridges, Dina Thorslund, and Yulihan Luna in pursuit of becoming the undisputed champion.
Hughes understands that she may not have a long time left in her professional career, but she is determined to make the most of her remaining time in the sport.
She sees each new challenge as an opportunity to set and achieve new goals, pushing herself to the limits and continuing to break barriers in women’s boxing.
Balancing Family, Work, and Boxing
Despite her success, Hughes remains grounded, dedicating time to her family and her job as a personal assistant.
Her sons, Leo and Caelin, help keep her focused, with Leo even accompanying her on ring-walks for two professional bouts.
Balancing work, family, and boxing has not been easy for Hughes. She admits to being tired a lot and going to bed at the same time as her children.
However, she also sees her unconventional path as an advantage, arguing that her body is less worn than it would be if she had started boxing at a younger age.
Hughes credits her determination and persistence as key factors in her success. Her story serves as an inspiration to others who may face similar challenges and obstacles in their pursuit of their dreams.
She is a living testament to the power of resilience and self-belief, proving that with dedication and hard work, it is possible to overcome barriers and achieve greatness.
