Derry’s Paul Hughes acquired again within the win column with an explosive 42-second knockout victory over Bruno Miranda in Belfast.
Hughes soaked up an electrical ambiance contained in the SSE Enviornment earlier than producing a efficiency that matched it.
The 28-year-old light-weight, who dropped Miranda with an enormous left hand, stated: “I want it went on a bit longer, I do know individuals needed to see a scrap, however what do you do? I simply hit too laborious.
“I made my skilled debut on this enviornment over eight years in the past and each single time I drove previous it I stated I’m going to battle there [again] and my dream got here true.
“We’re a small nation however we’re dong massive issues on the world stage. I hope I symbolize you all effectively, as a result of I’m going to the highest.”
Preventing on dwelling soil for the primary time since 2019, Hughes may need felt the burden of a nation on his shoulders.
After a narrow defeat by former Bellator light-weight champion Usman Nurmagomedov in January, Hughes wanted a giant efficiency on dwelling soil to stake his declare for a rematch.
However there was zero signal of nerves from Hughes, who wore a broad smile from the second he emerged from backstage.
Hughes appeared alongside native musician Foy Vance, who sang a reside model of the Dubliners ‘Grace’.
The group sang the lyrics again to Hughes after relentlessly booing Miranda just a few moments earlier than.
Hughes entered the cage to ‘Oles’ nd there was no time for even a slight lull in ambiance as Hughes took benefit of a lazy kick from Miranda by catching it and delivering his knockout blow.
As Miranda collapsed and Hughes unloaded, the referee stepped in to cease the competition.
“Usman Nurmagomedov, you may run and you may strive delay this rematch so long as you need, however your day is coming,” Hughes stated within the aftermath.
Hughes improved his file to 14 wins and two losses and can contemplate himself in pole place to battle Nurmagomedov within the close to future.
