MALMESBURY’S Joe Hughes will start as underdog for the first time in his pro career when he faces Mitch Prince at Swindon's Oasis Leisure Centre on Saturday night, writes DANNY HALL.

But the former Senior ABA light welterweight champion hopes victory will fast-track his attempt at a new title bid.

Prince, 29, put up a brave effort when narrowly losing on points to title holder Willie Limond in their Commonwealth light-welterweight title fight in Glasgow back in June.

The South African-born fighter also represented Scotland in the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and the bout at the Oasis will be the first time as a pro that he has fought outside his adopted country.

His record of 12 wins and a draw in 15 fights also promises to test Hughes, who returned from an injury-enforced year out of the ring in October to record a one-sided points win over the experienced William Warburton in Trowbridge.

Hughes, 23, who has been beaten just once as a professional, said: “It’s going to be a real challenge and I am going to have to be at my best to beat him.

“But to be honest, the last thing I want at this stage in my career is another journeyman fighter. That would not be moving forward.

“He is ranked higher than me and to beat him would push me right up there and earn a title shot of my own in the new year.

“It should be one helluva fight, in fact, I think it will steal the show on Saturday.”

Tickets for Saturday’s fight, which has been set at the 10st 6lb limit with a weigh-in on the day, can be booked on 07878 454570.

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