Ballycastle boxer hoping to hit the big time at the SSE Arena

Northern Ireland has a rich history of boxing champions and Gerard Hughes is hoping to become the latest star on the world stage.

The 25 year-old is in action at the SSE Arena on the 2nd of December on the undercard of Michael Conlan's much anticipated comeback as he faces Rudy Farrell.

It is a special moment for the Ballycastle man as he watched fights at the venue growing up

"I can't wait to get in there, I was going when Frampton was there and Burnett was there back then I wouldn't have thought I'd ever be on one of these shows myself, it was always a dream but how do you get there?"

A familiar face in Irish boxing is Hughes' manager, former IBO world champion Padraig McCrory, a mentor who has been there and done it.

"He's four wins and no defeats, it's a real step up, it will be a massive challenge but it was an opportunity that we couldn't say no to." said McCrory.

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