MALMESBURY light welterweight Joe Hughes accepts he may have to wait to avenge the only defeat of his career.

Hughes lost a controversial decision against Joe Elfidh by a single point in Sheffield in March and the 22-year-old is desperate for a rematch to set the record straight.

However, he admits the pair are unlikely to get it on in his next fight when he fights on the KM Promotions show in Swindon on October 6.

“I obviously want that rematch (against Elfidh),” said Hughes.

“It was controversial, I felt I won the fight and I want to set the record straight there.

“I don’t think it will happen in my next fight, or in the near future, because he doesn’t want to fight me. Discussions have taken place but nothing has been sorted.

“I guess we are on a similar level at the moment so that’s why the fight doesn’t interest him. However, I felt I won that fight so this is definitely something I want to happen in the future.”

Focusing on his next fight, Hughes says he is looking for a step up.

“I’ll leave the opponent to my trainer Andy O’Kane but I don’t really want to fight a journeyman, I want a step up now,” he said. “I feel I am ready for a step up now.

“I have been getting some good sparring and I’m looking forward to having a tough fight in Swindon.

“I don’t know what the future will hold but I would obviously like to win some titles. That is all down to my manager Frank Maloney.”

Tickets for the October 6 show are £35 standard and £60 VIP ringside. Contact Hughes on 07878 454570.