SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT Joe Hughes says persistence and patience was the key after the British Boxing Board of Control lined up a British title eliminator for the Malmesbury man.

Hughes previously fought for the British strap back in April 2017 and drew with Tyrone Nurse at Leicester Arena, before losing to Anthony Yigit in an European title bout in December.

The 27-year-old says he declined fights that could have put him back in line for a shot at the Lonsdale strap in order to fight Yigit, and since then has felt like a forgotten man, despite his efforts to inject some life into his title bid.

“Every month we petitioned to try and get put forward for the British title. I was in position for a couple of eliminators but I got that European title shot instead,” said Hughes.

“After that, it was almost like the British board (British Boxing Board of Control) didn’t want to put me back in afterwards, but anyone would have done what I did in that position.

“It’s frustrating. When I drew the fight for the British title, we were in a very good place for a direct rematch.

“It’s like I have been out in the wilderness.

“It was over a year ago that I drew the fight for the British title without being nominated to fight for it again.

“You’d think after getting a draw for it I would have been in a good place to be able to fight for it again.

“It would be nice to get a shot at something which I feel like I deserve.”

Hughes' title eliminator will see him take on rangy southpaw Akeem Ennis Brown, who has a record of 11-0, with one win coming through knockout.

Now that the board have ordered the bout to go to purse bids, the super-lightweight is hoping the ball is finally moving.

But despite the good news, Hughes admits there is a still a long way to go before a potential fight in October.

“There is a lot that can happen between now and then. It could be won with a bid or we could have an agreement before that, I don’t know,” said Hughes.

“I’m sure there will be a bit of back and forth to find out that kind of thing, then whoever wins the bid then we have to decide if that is agreeable.

“It’s good that I have the opponent named.

“Normally you get the date named and you have no idea who you are going to fight.

“Now I know who I am fighting, I just don’t know when or where.”