JOE Hughes insists there is no way that he will leave Leicester without a belt after earning a shock shot at the European title.

The Malmesbury fighter departed the Leicester Arena in April bitterly disappointed at the result as his bid to become the British super-lightweight champion against champion Tyrone Nurse was scored a split decision draw.

However, after a number of British title final eliminators falling through, the 27-year-old got a surprise call to face the unbeaten champion Anthony Yigit at the same venue on December 2.

“Possibly (it’s vindication for being made to wait), it is funny how things change,” Hughes told the Gazette and Herald.

“Six months ago we were disappointed with the result from the Nurse fight.

“It has been a very frustrating time in the last six months with all the eliminators that kept falling through.

“We were supposed to be going after the British title eliminator when we got a phone call out of the blue from Cyclones Promotions asking if we would be interested in boxing for the European title.

“That is something that you are not going to turn down.’’

He added: “Absolutely, (there is no way I’m leaving Leicester without a belt) this time.

“Last time it was so close coming away with a draw – the close you can get without winning.

“You don’t want to go to the same place twice in the same year and not win.”

Swede Yigit, who represented his country at the 2012 Olympics in London, won the title in February this year when beating Londoner Lenny Daws before successfully defending the belt in his homeland.

While Hughes has the utmost respect the champion, he says he is ready to spoil their plans.

“Of course, I believe (Yigit has made a mistake in picking me for a voluntary defence),” Hughes added.

“He is a very good fighter. He went to the Olympics with Sweden. He is unbeaten, he is the champion and is a very good fighter.

“This is for the genuine European title, there are a lot of fake titles – this is the proper one.

“I’m sure they are expecting to win – but isn’t that always the case and normally I give them a bit of shock.

“This is a massive fight, the only fight bigger than this is a world title fight.”

It will be big night for Wiltshire boxing in the East Midlands with Swindon’s unbeaten cruiserweight Luke Watkins defends his Commonwealth title against Southport’s Mike Stafford, while former England amateur Ryan Martin, also from Swindon, faces Craig Morris from Ludlow in an English welterweight title eliminator.

“It is random with Luke boxing on the same show defending his Commonwealth belt – I don’t know why they haven’t put it in on Swindon,” Hughes joked.

“Hopefully it can be a big night for West Country boxing with Luke defending his title and me bring a belt home as well.”

Tickets for the show are priced £30 unreserved and £100 VIP and are available by contacting Hughes on 07878 454570.