JOE Hughes says that he’s excited by the prospect of one of the quickest ring returns of his professional career.

Earlier this month, the 24-year-old Malmesbury man got his hands on the IBO International super-lightweight title with an eighth-round stoppage of Jaba Shalutashvili in Bristol and is now set to defend that belt just eight weeks later on Saturday, June 13 at the Bath Pavilion.

To initially fight for his IBO title, Hughes had to relinquish his Southern Area crown after turning down a re-match against Philip Bowes, who he stopped to win that strap in November last year.

But the Wiltshire fighter, who is trained and managed by Andy O’Kane at Paddy John’s Gym in Bristol, is certain that his career is heading down the right route as he chases the English title.

“The board wanted me to fight Philip Bowes in a re-match on March 7 but I didn’t see any point in going to London to fight him again – I’d already gone there and beaten him comfortably once,” said Hughes.

“I decided to go down the IBO route and now I’m going to be defending the title in Bath. The show is using Errol Johnson’s licence but it’s mostly being organised by Mark Kent at the Contender Gym in Trowbridge.

“I don’t know who I’ll be fighting yet but it’s all about getting me the toughest possible opponent – someone who’s going to push me forward the most.

“I’ve only had one week off and I started training again this week.

“I think I’ve only fought twice quickly once since I’ve been a pro. I fought in October and then in December (in 2013). When I was an amateur, I was used to having two fights in two days.”