ABA champ Hughes looks forward to pro game

Joe 'The Gent' Hughes turns professional next week insisting he has nothing to prove to England’s amateur coaches.

Hughes, 20, won the ABA light-welterweight title earlier this year, but was snubbed by the national squad for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

The Malmesbury hopeful has signed with Frank Maloney and launches his professional career on the promoter’s double title bill at The Troxy, London, E1 on Saturday 16th November.

Hughes, 20, said: “I didn’t get a look in even though I won the ABA title.

“It would be nice to be at the Commonwealth Games and to remain amateur for the 2012 Olympics, but I feel this move is right.

“There is no bitterness that I am not with the team in Delhi, but I wish the lads out there every success and hope they all win medals.

“I have my own thing to concentrate on and although nerves haven’t set in, I am sure there will be a bit of edginess on my debut.”

Maloney christened Hughes ‘The Gent’ after his impeccable manners and dress sense when he appeared before the British Boxing Board of Control to get his licence. Maloney added: “The nickname suits him on Civvy Street, but when he gets in the ring the meekness vanishes.

“Joe is built like a tank and he is one of the best British prospects making his debut in 2010.”

In the main event Sam Webb (16-1) makes the first defence of his British light-middleweight title against Martin Concepcion (17-7). A second championship contest sees Cwmbran’s Jamie Arthur (17-4) battle it out with Bellshill’s Kris Hughes (12-0) for the vacant Commonwealth super-bantamweight crown.

Three of Maloney’s other heavyweight prospects David Price (7-0), Tom Dallas (11-0) and Damian Campbell (1-0) all box on the show being televised live by Sky Sports. The card also features Tony Hill (5-1), Erick Ochieng (5-0), Lewis Pettit (2-0) and Martin Welsh (7-0).