JOE Hughes’ English title ambitions could become a reality next year but the Malmesbury fighter says he now needs to leave everything in the ring to realise his aspirations.

The 24-year-old (10-1) has been sanctioned for an English light-welterweight title eliminator against Liverpool’s Robbie Davies Jr (7-0) in 2015 and victory in that fight would see Hughes pitted against the winner of Tommy Martin (10-0) and Ricky Boylan’s (12-1) showdown for the vacant belt on January 31.

Martin and Boylan, who are both managed by Matchroom Sport, were both in action at the O2 Arena as Hughes beat Philip Bowes to win the Southern Area title on October 11 but the Wiltshire ace can’t begin concentrating on his quest for the English belt straightaway.

First, Hughes has to defend the title he already has in Bristol on December 13 and is in no doubt that the ante has definitely been upped.

“In the past, I’ve gone long times without having a fight and now I know what I’m going to be doing, rather than thinking ‘you win this fight and then you have to wait and see what happens’,” said Hughes, whose clash with Davies Jr is currently open for purse bids.

“It means that my next few fights are must-win fights. I’ve got to win in Bristol to get the eliminator and I’ve got to win that one to fight for the English title. But if I lose in Bristol, I’m nowhere.

“It’s more pressure but it’s nice to be busy. I was hoping to go straight back in to fight for the belt but there’s not much I can do about that.

“Tommy Martin and Ricky Boylan both fought after me (at the O2) but I didn’t see either of them fight – I’m sure that Boylan’s fight will be on YouTube.

“I started sparring at the end of last week and my eye feels good. I don’t have an opponent (for the December 13 bill) yet but it will happen. It’s just a bit difficult when you don’t know who you’re preparing for.”

Tyler Goodjohn beat Boylan to the English title by a majority decision back in October but has since relinquished the belt.