LEGENDARY boxing promoter Frank Maloney has decided it’s time to move Malmesbury boxer Joe Hughes into the fast lane.

Hughes’s next fight on March 3 will be against Gordon Watson, a 28-year-old who has twice been in the ring with former champions.

Watson lost a points decision to one-time British super featherweight title holder Carl Johanneson but was knocked out in the first round on his latest outing against former English and WBU featherweight champion Derry Mathews.

Watson is clearly no mug, however, having a record of eight wins and two draws from his 15 fights.

He also had a good amateur career, earning an international vest for England and being a losing finalist in the Senior ABA finals.

Hughes, meanwhile, has had just four fights – all of them victories – since turning pro in the wake of winning his Senior ABA light welterweight title.

“I have watched Watson on You Tube and he looks a good, technical boxer who works from long range using his height and reach – he is six feet tall,” said Joe.

“He has faced some quality opposition in his career. Johanneson is the last man to have beaten Ricky Burns, the current WBO super featherweight champion.”

Hughes is hoping that 2012 will prove busier for him in the ring than last year – he has not fought since his win over Tony Pace in September due to injuring his left wrist in training.

Surgery was eventually ruled out after he went to see Britain’s leading hand surgeon, Mike Hayton, in Manchester.

“I have been back using my left hand at full power for the last month,” said Hughes. “There have been one or two niggles but Mr Hayton said that is only to be expected.

“I am doing lots of sparring and I feel like I am training really well. I can’t wait to get back in the ring.”

The bill on March 3 at the Hillsborough Leisure Centre looks an entertaining one as Jamie McDonnell battles Malik Bouzianne for the European Bantamweight title, while fans will also see the latest appearance of former European Heavyweight champion Matt Skelton.

A coachload of Hughes’s supporters will be heading north to Sheffield from the Borough Arms in Malmesbury and anyone looking for a seat on the coach should book with the pub on 01666 822806.