Emphatic victory for Malmesbury boxer (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Emphatic victory for Malmesbury boxer

MALMESBURY National Champion and Schoolboy International, Joe Hughes, warmed up for his Junior ABA Championship campaign with an emphatic stoppage time victory over Empire's Flavious McCarthy at the BAWA Club in Bristol.

McCarthy was not in the same class as the Malmesbury starlet and, although storming out at the start of the fight, was controlled and dominated by the powerful and experienced Hughes.

Crunching hooks to head and body had McCarthy clinging on in desperation and it was soon apparent that he had nothing in his armament to stem the steady flow of venomous punches coming in his direction.

By the end of the first round, the Bristol boy was clearly in distress but his corner sent him out for more of the same.

In the second, Hughes thumped in hurtful body shots and combinations as he backed McCarthy to the ropes.

McCarthy bravely lasted to the end of the round when the bout was belatedly called off to earn Hughes the stoppage victory and, at the end of the show, the 'Best Boxer of the Night' trophy.