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New English super lightweight champion Joe Hughes talks to Your Sport Swindon following Saturday night’s success against Anthony Hardy.
Click on the video above to watch Hughes’ post fight interview with Your Sport Swindon.
The 24-year-old Malmesbury boxer clinched the title after winning by split decision (98-92, 98-92, 95-97) against Durham’s Hardy at Bath Pavilion.
But although Hughes was delighted to earn the prestigious strap, he told Your Sport Swindon that he felt on control of the fight at all times and thought he should have won by a wider decision.
The Malmesbury boxer though also praised his rival Hardy for taking the fight at late notice after original opponent London’s Ryan Taylor was forced to withdraw after being handed an automatic suspension after his stoppage against Mark McKray earlier this month.
Hardy, who had the luxury of a greater height and reach advantage, proved a tricky customer for Hughes to negotiate on the night.
However, as the fight drew old, Hughes got in his groove as he boxed well off his jab and countered well when ever Hardy enjoyed some success.
Hardy always posed a danger and a worthy rival until the final bell, but it was Hughes who produced the cleaner work and was the busier boxer.
Both boxers tired in the final round after what had been a pulsating battle but it was Hughes who had already done enough to be crowned the new English champion.
Hughes told Your Sport Swindon that he now intends to defend his newly acquired title and has already set his sights on a shot at the British title later in the year.
The victory against Hardy now takes the former Malmesbury Amateur Boxing Club star’s professional record to 12 wins and just the one defeat.
Stay logged onto www.yoursportswindon.co.uk for highlights of Hughes’ English title triumph.
