MALMESBURY'S Joe Hughes gave a boxing masterclass to retain his English light welterweight (super lightweight) title in front of large crowd at Walsall Town Hall on Saturday night, writes Bernie Davies.

Hughes earned a unanimous point decision over Anthony Upton in the British title eliminator which moved the 25-year-old a step closer to a potential clash with reigning champion Tyrone Nurse.

Hughes opened the quicker, catching Upton with some vicious shots and continually out-jabbed his much taller opponent.

Upton, who is trained by former world champion Ricky 'Hitman' Hatton, rallied briefly in the third round, keeping out of range of Hughes' onslaught.

A body shot at the end of the sixth and a flurry of punches in the seventh had Upton on the canvas as Hughes went on to claim comprehensive points victory. The judges scored the fight 96-93, 97-93, 97-91 to Hughes, sending his vociferous travelling fans back to Wiltshire singing his name.