JOE Hughes' bid to lift the European super-lightweight title ended in a brave defeat tonight as he slipped to a points defeat against Sweden's defending champion Anthony Yigit in Leicester.

The Malmesbury fighter, 27, was handed his third career defeat after a bruising battle against the undefeated Yigit, who took a 118-112, 118-110, 119-109 verdict.

Hughes, who drew with British champion Tyrone Nurse back in April, made the better start at the Leicester Arena, with his all-action style causing the champion a number of problems in the opening couple of rounds.

But Yigit eventually got a foothold in the fight, upping the speed and workrate in the middle and later rounds to secure a decisive victory.

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