JOE Hughes achieved his dream of clinching national glory by getting his hands on the English super-lightweight title with a stirring victory over Anthony Hardy tonight.

The 24-year-old, from Malmesbury, had chased a shot at the St George’s strap for years and came close to seeing his challenge for the vacant belt fall through before a late change of opponent.

But on the night, Hughes emerged victorious from an absorbing clash with his tall 23-year-old opponent, triumphing on a split decision (98-92, 98-92, 95-97).

Durham man Hardy was drafted in to replace Londoner Ryan Taylor, who was handed an automatic suspension after being stopped by Mark McKray earlier this month, and the visiting fighter went into the contest with a significant height and reach advantage.

But that was far from enough to put Hughes off from coming forward and he landed a smattering of early salvos as he went to work on navigating Hardy’s arcing range.

Hardy remained dangerous at distance however and was able to give as good as he got when Hughes was unable to get past his first line of defence.

But when the Wiltshire man did find the space to strike, his hooks, and body shots in particular, found the mark.

An intriguing clash of styles rumbled on and Hughes began to find it easier to get into striking distance but when Hardy was able to utilise his lightning-quick jab, he managed to earn himself some respite.

The North East challenger looked to be growing in confidence but in the sixth, the pace slowed and Hughes began to adopt a more measured approach in his efforts to find a way past Hardy.

The home fighter was almost never off the front foot as he continued to stalk his opponent around the ring, with Hardy almost exclusively attacking on the counter.

Both men looked to be tiring as the contest reached the final round, with the Durham fighter shutting up shop by grabbing hold of Hughes whenever he got close late on.

The theme continued into the final round of a thrilling battle and despite one of the judge’s scorecards causing Hughes’ heart to jump into his mouth, the Wiltshire star was eventually crowned the new English champion.

Meanwhile, Swindon’s Kelly Morgan got her professional career off to a sensational start, stopping Hungarian Klaudia Vigh in one minute and 34 seconds.

The 35-year-old former Commonwealth Games javelin bronze medallist and England netball international, who had been made to wait for her pro bow after problems with the issuing of her licence from the British Boxing Board of Control, swept aside an early onslaught from her opponent before knocking Vigh down twice, with the 25-year-old retiring after the second count.