TRAINER Andy O’Kane is delighted to see Joe Hughes on the path to a shot at the British super-lightweight title after making up for more lost time than he cares to remember.

After besting Anthony Upton to defend his English belt in Walsall last weekend, Malmesbury’s Hughes has moved up the pecking order to challenge current Lonsdale strap-holder Tyrone Nurse, who overcame Chris Jenkins to become British champion in November.

O’Kane has helped 25-year-old Hughes rebuild his career following his split with top promoter Kellie Maloney following her retirement from boxing promotion in 2013 and a crippling raft of injures, and now wants to see his charge finally take the time to savour his latest achievement.

“For me, it was more important than I can describe. This was about getting Joe back to where he was supposed to be three years ago,” said the Bristol trainer.

“This kid started off in the pro game having come out of a fantastic amateur career and signed up with a big promoter and everything was destined to be in front – and he really didn’t get what he was due.

“For me, he didn’t get looked after at all well and silly situations happened.

“So we had to go away and start again.

“We’ve rebuilt, we’ve come back and now he is banging on the door for that British title.

“That’s all I wanted. We’re really pleased that Tyrone Nurse has won it and we’re waiting to challenge him.

“I will be petitioning the board non-stop now for any opportunity to get in the ring with him.

“Now, he’s going to do a little bit of sparring with the lads that helped him get ready for this fight but other than that, he’s going to enjoy Christmas and be back in the gym on January 2, weighing no more than 10-and-a-half stone.

“The next bit is to really enjoy what he’s achieved because he’s never had the chance to do that either.

“When we won the English title (against Anthony Hardy in July), it wasn’t like ‘go off and have a holiday’ – he was straight back to work for the next one.”