JOE Hughes is the English super-lightweight champion once again after outpointing Andy Keates in Bristol on Saturday night.

The 26-year-old, who was stripped of the St George’s strap after losing to fellow Englishman Jack Catterall in a fight for the WBO inter-continental belt in May, was handed the chance for redemption against Midlands Area champion Keates, with the now-vacant English title on the line at the Action Indoor Sports Centre.

Malmesbury’s Hughes took his opportunity with both hands as he claimed a unanimous points decision over Staffordshire man Keates, 25, with referees Shaun Messer, Lee Cook and Jeff Hinds scoring the contest 98-94, 100-92, 97-94 respectively.