Anto Upton explains decision to vacate English title

Anto Upton [13(5)-1(0)] has confirmed that he has relinquished his English light welterweight title during the Summer.

Upton scored a stunning knockout of home favourite Luke Paddock in July to claim the belt and was ordered to face former champion Joe Hughes in his first defence.

Hughes had defeated Upton last December in an English title clash before being forced to vacate the title to face Jack Catterall for the WBO Inter-Continental belt.

In the interim, Upton, and his brothers Pauly and Sonny, parted ways with trainer Ricky Hatton and linked up with Barry Smith and Harry Andrews. The youngest of the three boxing brothers intended to have two warm-up fights to adjust to his new team, the first of which is slated for the York Hall on November 5th.

However, the British Boxing Board of Control wanted Upton to dive into a fight with Hughes by the end of the year, forcing him to make a difficult decision

The Belfast-raised boxer told Irish-Boxing.com that “my managers and my trainers want me to have two warm up fights before the year is out to get used to having new man in corner and then crack on next year for bigger and better things.”

“I’m in no rush, I’m still only 24, and I trust my managers with my life. They know what they are doing and I listen to every bit of advice they give me.”

While he is disappointed that he will not get the chance to avenge his loss to Hughes, Upton promised that he is “one million percent” willing to face the Malmesbury man once he has gotten to grips with his new training setup.