21 Facts About Paul Hodkinson

Paul Hodkinson had an excellent 1986 ABA title campaign winning the Amateur Boxing Association British featherweight title, when boxing out of the Kirkby ABC and he swept aside all comers in capturing his club's first national title since Conteh's success in 1971.

Paul Hodkinson had other ideas, he had already decided to turn pro.

Paul Hodkinson was in America where he was given the chance to spar with some of the top fighters in the world.

Paul Hodkinson had sparred with six world champions in the shape of Sot Chitalada, Hilario Zapata, Bernardo Pinango, Barry McGuigan, Brian Mitchell and Antonio Esparragoza.

Paul Hodkinson turned professional with BJ Eastwood and the new team was launched at Wembley Stadium on the night Frank Bruno was beaten by Tim Witherspoon, fighting in front of the biggest live audience in decades.

Paul Hodkinson beat Mark Champney in two rounds to get his career underway.

Paul Hodkinson stopped his first seven opponents inside the distance, his most memorable win coming against former British Featherweight champion Steve Sims in the King's Hall in Belfast.

Paul Hodkinson travelled to Panama with BJ Eastwood where he sparred with Brian Mitchell for three weeks preparing the WBA Super-featherweight king for his defence against local favourite Rocky Fernandez.

Paul Hodkinson fought and drew with Tomas Arguelles on the under card.

Paul Hodkinson won the title and successfully defended it, stopping Kevin Taylor in two rounds in December 1988.

Paul Hodkinson then defended his European title against rugged Frenchman Farid Benredjeb.

Paul Hodkinson had outclassed the best in Europe and was ready to fight at the highest level.

In March 1990 at the G-Mex Manchester Paul Hodkinson fought in a world title final eliminator when he stopped Mexican Eduardo Montoya in three rounds, but not before he was on the canvas himself for the first time in his professional career.

Carelessly Paul Hodkinson was caught by a sucker right hand and paid the penalty.

The Mexican was not in as much trouble as he appeared to be in, and Paul Hodkinson, misjudged the situation as did everyone else in the audience.

Unbeaten in 18 contests Paul Hodkinson then fought for the vacant WBC featherweight title against Marcos Villasana.

Paul Hodkinson had put up a solid and brave performance and proved beyond doubt that he is a world class fighter.

In October 1991 Paul Hodkinson defended his European title and ko'd Guy Bellehigue in three rounds, before relinquishing it and concentrating on his pursuit of a world title; an objective he achieved when he comprehensively beat Villasana in a re-match in Belfast in 1991.

However Paul Hodkinson never allowed the Puerto Rican to settle, hitting him with a barrage of combination punches until the referee intervened.

Paul Hodkinson's next fight was another defeat; this time in a WBO title fight against the Welshman Steve Robinson, when he was stopped in the final round.

Paul Hodkinson has been an ambassador for boxing and has appeared on A Question of Sport, Grandstand and has featured in openings with Muhammad Ali.