JOE HUGHES expects to thrive in the pressure cooker situation of his first-ever title defence.

The Malmesbury fighter claimed the biggest victory of his career so far as he stopped Philip Bowes to get his hands on Southern Area light-welterweight title last month.

The 24-year-old is set to put that belt on the line on December 13 at the Action Indoor Sports centre in Bristol.

Hughes, who trains at Paddy John’s Gym in Bristol, is thrilled by the prospect of being back in action just two months after his tenth professional win against an as-yet unnamed opponent.

“There’s definitely going to be pressure because last time, I had nothing to lose. I was the one going to the other guy’s back yard to try and take the title and now the tables are turned,” said Hughes.

“But I like my fights to mean something. To be honest, when it’s a fight that I’m expected to win or something that doesn’t mean a lot, that’s when I don’t perform as well.

“My manager (Andy O’Kane) has already nominated me to the British Boxing Board of Control for the English title, so if I lose, that messes that up. A guy called Tyler Goodjohn won that on the same show I was on (October 11).

“It’s going to be a relatively local show for me and a lot of the guys from the gym are going to be fighting on it, so it’s been nice having everybody training and sparring for the same date.

“I told my manager that I wanted to be as busy as possible and this is pretty much the least amount of time I’ve ever had between fights, so that’s great.

“I’m injury-free and my cut from the last fight has just about healed up, so I’ll spar for the first time on Friday.”

To buy tickets for the Errol Johnson-promoted show on December 13, which cost £35 or £60 for ringside seats, contact Hughes on 07878 454570.

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