Last month Lib Dem farming minister David Heath told farming groups that genetically modified crops were "one of the tools in the box" but not the silver bullet to increase food production.
Shaven-headed and crisply suited, Mr Hague could be an American executive, were it not for his ministerial red box and cufflinks bearing maps of Britain in blue and silver.
The Bedford battler insists he will have too much ring craft for the Olympic silver medallist, who boasts a 14-0 record and is quickly establishing himself as big box office.