JOE HUGHES won the first title of his professional career when taking the International Masters light-welterweight title on Saturday night by a runaway points decision.

The 23-year-old, from Malmesbury, beat the durable Bulgarian Kristian Dochev on points by 100-89 on the official scorecard and even dropped his opponent in the second round of his first 10-round contest at the Forum in Bath.

Hughes, a former Senior ABA light welterweight champion, has now taken his pro record to nine wins in 10 fights.

Hughes' stable-mate Danny Butler, from Bristol, successfully defended the English middleweight belt by stopping Leicester fighter Martin Concepcion in the fourth round while Wiltshire fighter Nick Blackwell beat Terry Carruthers.