MALMESBURY boxer Joe Hughes is hoping it will be second time lucky as he attempts to banish the demons of his last domestic title fight by laying claim to the British super-lightweight crown on Saturday night, writes JONATHAN LEIGHFIELD.

The 28-year-old will take on current champion Robbie Davis Jr live on Sky Sports, in Davis’ home city of Liverpool, 16 months after the Wiltshire fighter’s first attempt to claim the strap ended in an agonising draw.

Hughes was controversially denied the Lord Lonsdale belt against Tyrone Nurse back in December 2017 despite the Malmesbury fighter feeling that he had won by at least two rounds.

Since then, Hughes has been crowned EBU European champion following a split decision win over Italian Andrea Scarpa in Florence last November – a belt that is also on the line this weekend.

Hughes enters Saturday’s bout having won his last two fights, but Davis – who holds a record of 17-1 – stands in the way of the 28-year-old and one of his most sought-after sporting achievements.

Ahead of the fight, Hughes said: “It’s going to be a tough fight, I know that, but I’m really looking forward to it.

“I’ve got a lot more experience this time around, doing the rounds and everything that goes with that.

“I know I’m more than good enough to be at this level. I feel like I should have won the British title the last time I boxed for it anyway, so this time I’m hoping I can walk away with it.

“The bigger title is the European belt, but the British title has been a goal of mine since I turned pro. That’s a big one for any British boxer.

“I feel like I deserve it. I should already have had it in my career, but it would mean a lot to win it this time.”

Hughes is aware of the threat that his next opponent possesses and knows he will have to produce something close to his best if he is to emerge victorious.

Should the Malmesbury man come home with both belts tucked over his shoulders on Saturday night, he says the natural progression would be to compete for a world title.

Hughes said: “I’m not really sure what to expect from Davis because he can do a bit of everything.

“He can box, he can have a fight, he’s quite a powerful puncher as well, so we’ll just have to see on the night whether he’s going to box or come for a fight.

“Whatever he does, I’ll be ready for it. We know that whatever he does, it will be a cracking fight.

“If I were to win this fight, fingers crossed, I would hopefully be getting a shot at a world title – that’s the carrot for me at the moment.

“The current WBO world champion is also on the books with Matchroom, so Eddie Hearn said there is the possibility of me getting the next shot at that.”