JOE Hughes added a first international strap to his record with a dominant stoppage victory over Jaba Khalutashvili this evening.

The 24-year-old got his hands on the IBO international super-lightweight title with an unflinching and emphatic display at the Action Indoor Sports Centre in Bristol.

Despite a tentative opening, Hughes’ left hook was finding the mark early on as he set about working out his Georgian opponent and a crunching body shot had Shalutashvili grimacing in the early stages of the opening round.

The Malmesbury man drew blood from his opponent’s nose in the second with a stinging hook and his efficiency continued as he constantly walked down Shalutashvili, turning the screw with shot after shot.

The travelling fighter was left bleeding from a cut under his eye early in the fifth and in the sixth, Hughes began to turn on the style with left and right-handed combinations, which had Shalutashvili retreating as best he could.

Retreat was not a realistic option however and the 26-year-old remained in the firing line, with the intensity showing no signs of abating as the Wiltshire warrior marched onwards.

Then, with 1:49 of the eighth round elapsed, one of the multitude of punishing Hughes hooks prompted referee Marcus McDonald to bring proceedings to the halt.

Shalutashvili was wobbled and the official had seen more than enough to declare the contest no longer competitive, and in turn ensuring the title was on its way to Malmesbury.