Paul Hodkinson
| Paul Hodkinson | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Paul Hodkinson |
| Nickname(s) | Hoko |
| Rated at | Featherweight |
| Nationality | English |
| Born | 14 September 1965 Liverpool, England |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 26 |
| Wins | 22 |
| Wins by KO | 21 |
| Losses | 3 |
| Draws | 1 |
| No contests | 0 |
Paul Hodkinson aka Hoko (born 14 September 1965 in Kirkby, Liverpool, England) is a former professional boxer. Hodkinson fought at Featherweight and is the former British, European and World (WBC) Featherweight Title holder.
Paul Hodkinson first caught the eye as an amateur bantamweight in the 1984-1985 season with a series of good displays for young England and later for the full international side; but John Davidson a hard hitting and mature Northerner proved a little to rugged for him and Hodkinson’s ABA title campaign came to an abrupt finish in the first round.
The one round defeat prompted a rethink in the Kirkby club - whose ‘old boys’ included John Conteh and Joey Singleton - and Hodkinson decided it was time to stop fighting the scales and let his body find its true poundage. As a featherweight the improvement was instantaneous. He had an excellent 1986 ABA title campaign and he swept aside all comers in capturing his clubs first national title since Conteh’s success in 1971.
With the Commonwealth games taking place in the summer Hodkinson was in automatic selection and in most experts view a clear favourite for the featherweight gold. Hodkinson had other ideas, he had already decided to turn pro. His amateur days ended in acrimony with him being ‘expelled’ from the games panel for failing to report for training. He was in America where he was given the chance to spar with some of the top fighters in the world. Hodkinson had sparred with six world champions in the shape of Sot Chitalada, Hilario Zapata, Bernado Pinango, Barry McGuigan, Brian Mitchell and Antonio Esparragoza.
Hodkinson turned professional with B.J. 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. Hodkinson beat Mark Champney in two rounds to get his career underway. 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 Belfast. While the Welshman was just past his best, Hodkinson's performance in only his fifth professional fight was excellent.
In July 1987 the same year he was voted Grandstand’s Young Prospect of The Year, a title he shared with Garry Stretch. Hodkinson travelled to Panama with B.J where he sparred with Brian Mitchell for three weeks preparing the WBA Super-featherweight king for his defence against local favourite Rocky Fernandez. Hodkinson fought and drew with Tomas Arguelles on the under card. The Panamanian was Hodkinson’s toughest opponent to date but many neutral observers felt the young Liverpudlian came out on the wrong end of a ‘home town’ decision. Hodkinson was quick to avenge the only blemish on his record when he stopped Arguelles in six rounds the following October.
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