THE STAKES may be higher than ever but Joe Hughes insists that he isn’t feeling any fear ahead of his showdown with Jack Catterall.

Last week, Malmesbury’s Hughes (14-1) and highly-rated Lancashire man Catterall came face-to-face at the Macron Stadium in Bolton, where they will meet on Friday, May 13, in a final eliminator for the British super-lightweight title, with both men also putting a belt on the line.

Hughes, 25, will defend his English title whilst Catterall brings his WBO inter-continental belt – once held by Ricky Hatton – to the table as the pair lock horns at the top of a Frank Warren-promoted bill, which will also be broadcast live on BoxNation.

Wiltshire fighter Hughes, who travelled to Walsall to defend his St George’s strap against Anthony Upton in his last outing in December, says that he has no qualms having the odds stacked against him once again and doesn’t think that Catterall will be able to rely on a ‘home’ decision.

“Sometimes, if a fight is on an undercard, they can get away with giving a decision to a home fighter and it gets forgotten but because it’s on TV and is top of the bill, it’s a lot harder to do that,” said Hughes, who is sponsored by Bancum Surfacing, Bad Boy Supplements and Steve Ford Sport Massage.

“On paper, it’s the toughest fight I’ve had but I’m used to going away and fighting as the away fighter, so it really doesn’t bother me at all – I’m treating it like any one of those fights.

“Jack’s highly-rated. He’s ranked number one in Britain and number five with the WBO but I’m looking to go and take all of that for myself.

“That WBO belt would be a great one to win because there’s a long list of world-level winners from the past, including Ricky Hatton, but I also want to defend my English title because I’m proud to have that.”

Back in 2013, Hughes and Catterall crossed paths as reserves for a light-welterweight Prizefighter, although neither were required to spring into action.

The 22-year-old told BoxNation: “He seems like a good fighter. I remember us both being in the changing room for Prizefighter, so it’s nice to see that we’ve both come (on) really, and can top a bill.

“He’s beaten some decent lads – I think last time out, he beat Anthony Upton in a good 10-round fight – so I’m expecting him to bring his A-game.

“I’m more than confident. I think the table’s been set now and it’s all for me to do. I’ve got 10 weeks to train hard, live well, and no doubt in my mind; Friday the 13th will be a good night for me.”