JOE Hughes got his hands on the first title of his professional career when he lifted the International Masters light-welterweight title last night.

The 23-year-old, from Malmesbury, comfortably worked his way past tough Bulgarian Kristian Dochev, who put up a stern resistance despite being dropped in the second round at the Forum, in Bath.

Hughes' stable-mate Danny Butler, from Bristol, successfully defended the English middleweight belt by stopping Leicester fighter Martin Concepcion in the fourth round whilst Wiltshire fighter Nick Blackwell beat Terry Carruthers.

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