Legendary boxing promoter Dennis Hobson knows the fight game inside out. With over three decades of experience and having worked at the very top of the game with world champions including Ricky Hatton and David Haye, the Sheffield-based businessman is one of British boxing’s well-known fight figures. Here, he offers his thoughts on some of boxing’s current issues:

AJ vs Jake Paul – is it good for boxing? Who wins and how?

I don’t like it. As a promoter, we sometimes have to jump through lots of hoops with the British Boxing Board of Control just to get opponents passed if we want to match an up-and-comer against a journeyman. AJ is licensed with the Board, so how are they allowing an ex-multiple-world heavyweight champion to fight against a novice, blown up cruiserweight? Paul is much smaller, and he got beat by Tommy Fury, who’s never even won a domestic title. If you look at it from that point of view, it’s dangerous. AJ hits very hard, and we’ve had enough fatalities and serious injuries in boxing over the years.

People say, ‘if you had the opportunity to promote it and make lots of money, then you would,’ but I think sometimes you’ve got to wake up and say no because he could get badly hurt. Eddie [Hearn] is involved; he’s a great salesman and will be making a lot of money from it, but his judgement in boxing leaves a little bit to be desired at times.

I think it’ll be a similar result to his fight with Ngannou; I can’t see it going past two rounds.

Should Chris Eubank Jr fight again?

I don’t think so. He looked a shadow of himself against Conor [Benn], and he went to hospital after both fights, so he’s playing with his health and should call it a day. When you get into your mid-30s and your weight is up and down, it’s just not healthy. Eubank’s had a great run, earned plenty of money, but his health is the most important thing.

Has 2025 been a good year for Sheffield boxing? And why?

I don’t think it’s been the best year; it’s been maybe like a transition year. There are one or two kids coming through, and Dalton [Smith] is obviously the flagship at the moment, really.

So, we maybe haven’t got an abundance of strength as regards titles in Sheffield, but we’ve got some prospects we’re building with John Fewkes. There are also other gyms like Grant Smith’s and Robert Riley’s making headway, Junior Witter, and you’ve also got Glen Rhodes. So, 2025 hasn’t been the strongest year, but I’m positive more good times are on the way.