Paul Hilz takes on Tom Stokes
Basildon’s Paul Hilz (3-2) travels to Birmingham to take on unbeaten middleweight prospect Tom Stokes (8-0) on May 12th over eight-rounds for the British Challenge belt.
The pair will meet at 160lbs over eight three-minute rounds on the Black Country Boxing Promotions event titled, ‘The Next Step’.
It’ll be a clash of champions, each fighter already owning a Challenge belt. Hilz won the International version at super-middleweight against Lewis Van Poetsch (4-45) in September 2016, and West Bromwich’s Stokes defeated Cristian Hoskin-Gomez (5-20-3) on points in December last year.
Stokes defeated Van Poetsch in a four-rounder at the Walsall Town Hall in July, just two months before Hilz’s win against him.
For 35-year-old Hilz, it will be a trio of new tests when he fights at middleweight for the first time in his two-and-a-half-year-long pro career, dropping down from light-heavyweight and super-middle.
It’ll also serve the Essex boxer with his first fight away from the Civic Hall in Grays where he has fought all five of his bouts.
Thirdly, his opponent is the first unbeaten fighter he has faced and easily the toughest test of his career to date.
The underdog reflected on his preparation for this fight, “It’s gone well and I just want to get in there and get it done now.
“I’ve been working a long time for this because I’ve been ticking over since my last fight waiting for a call. My team had a few offers over that time for other fights but they were never quite right for us but having stayed fit has meant I’ve been more consistent in this training camp than others.
“I’ve been fit enough to spar all year so I started this camp with a good level of fitness anyway. I’m confident with what I’ve done during the camp and I never leave myself wanting.
“On paper, Tommy looks a better boxer than me but I chose to take this fight because it’s for another title and I believe I’ll be the winner.”
Hilz joined boxing late but took to the sport quickly, enjoying a successful stint in the thriving unlicensed boxing scene in Essex, winning 12 of his 14 fights and collecting the IBA British and European cruiserweight titles along the way.
As a pro, the 35-year-old is trained by Kevin Lilley and managed by Carl Greaves.
Stokes is clearly the best quality of opponent Hilz has faced but the father of four benefits from sparring At the Matchroom gym in Essex with top prospects, he enlightened, “Had my last spar with Tey Lynn Jones to finish off my camp and I sparred unbeaten prospects Danny Dignum, Joe Jackson Brown and English title contender Joe Mullender.
"I’m doing well in sparring with good quality opponents in front of me. I’ve sparred with John Ryder before and he is the best you can get, and also Anthony Ogogo and Ted Cheeseman.”
The former unlicensed star has yet to fight away from home in his career, he shared his thoughts on the prospect of being the away fighter, “I do not know what it will be like until I go through it.
“There’s a bit of nervous energy there already because it’s a whole new experience for me. I remember fighting in London in the unlicensed and having the same feeling. I was really nervous but I went out there and knocked my opponent out in the first round.
When you get in the ring and the bell goes, it’s all the same – one will win and one will lose. Once inside those ropes, the rest don’t matter.”
“I’ve had a good camp, I feel strong and hit my weight middle of last week and been bang on since, so no problems at all and I’ve done everything right.”
Hilz remains fully focused on this bout and has not looked beyond this date at the rest of what his career could hold for him, he explained, “Not even considered going past Friday. I only care about coming home with that belt and that’s all.
My career, in my eyes, starts and finishes on Friday. I’m focused on the win and we ain’t looking at anything else.”
The Next Step
The Next Step will showcase two other local unbeaten prospects in Josh Stokes (1-0) and Leon Gower (3-0).
Former IBF World cruiserweight champion Glen McCrory will be in attendance as a guest speaker at the show.
For tickets to the next show please call 07956 723 636
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Paul Hilz would like to thank his sponsors Fountain Fotos, Juice Kitchen Chelmsford, Ripped Gym, Jai Box Well and PR Manager Tim Rickson