Nina Hughes began boxing for fitness at a kickboxing gym and later joined Chadwell St. Mary Amateur Boxing Gym. [All photos on Bio sent in by Team Hughes with permission to post].Hughes said, “I never actually wanted to box but was persuaded to box by my coach at the time who was Chris Okoh. Once I had my first fight which I won I was hooked.”
“Within just 18 months of boxing I was selected for the first-ever female Great Britain squad for the 2012 Olympics at flyweight and traveled the world boxing representing England which was a great experience.
After missing out on the Olympics, I retired from the sport for three years in which time I got married and had my first son.”
After Hughes put on a lot of weight, she began training again and set herself a challenge to have one fight to lose the baby weight.
Hughes said that after she competed again, she again fell in love with the sport. After having to pull out of the national championships due to another pregnancy, I knew I wanted to carry on with boxing, so after giving birth to my second son, I went straight back in the gym after a few weeks to get ready to compete again.
Hughes added, “I have now taken the decision to turn professional at bantamweight.”
On Nina’s third professional fight she boxed unbeaten prospect Tysie Gallagher 4-0 for the vacant commonwealth and WBO International title winning both titles by a majority split decision,
A “Huge” win for Nina Hughes-Smith when she defeats Jamie Mitchell for the WBA Bantamweight World Title, who’s previous owner of that belt was Mitchell who was defending her belt this night on November 26, 2022. WBAN congratulated Hughes-Smith on this fantastic win!
On November 26, 2022, at the Hilton Palm Jumeirah, in Dubai, In the main event, Nina Hughes, won a 10-round unanimous decision over Jamie Mitchell. Final judges scores were 96-94, 97-93, and 96-94. The two were fighting for the WBA Bantamweight world title belt.
Accomplishments as an amateur:
4 time national English champion at 51kg and 54kg 2 x 3 nations championWon English title belt twice Gold medal representing England in European tournamentSeveral gold medals in Hungary box cup and other box cups in Europe
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