HOME favourite Justyn Hugh faces his biggest test yet when he takes on veteran Dean Francis for the light-heavyweight international Masters title at the Newport Centre on December 1.

Francis has not fought for more than three years but he is a former British, Commonwealth and WBO inter-continental light-heavy champion with 31 wins (25 knockouts) and only four defeats in a career that stretches back to 1994.

The 38-year-old from Basingstoke represents a step up in class for Hugh, who beat Talywain’s Jeff Evans last time out with a stoppage win to take the Welsh light-heavy belt.

But 28-year-old Hugh, who is unbeaten in 12 fights as a pro, will be backed by a passionate Newport crowd and will be confident of keeping his winning run going under St Joseph’s trainer Tony Borg.

Also on the Steve Sims Promotions show, Talbot Green’s Tony Pace faces the unbeaten Lance Sheehan of Aberdare for the British Masters lightweight title.

A packed undercard will feature Newport’s Craig Woodruff, Cardiff’s Lewis Patterson, Luke Osman of Treharris and the return of Aberdare light-middleweight Taz Jones after three years out of the ring.

Tickets are available from the Newport Centre box office on 01633 656757.

Alternatively they can be bought from Sims on 07761965416, Hugh on 07572954145 or Borg on 07513377692.

Promoter Sims said: “It should be an action-packed show with two great headline title fights.

“Rugby fans who want to make a day of it by watching Wales v Australia in the pub in Newport before the show will get a free curry at The Pen & Wig, Greyhound, Windsor Castle or Riverside Tavern when they show their ticket for the boxing.”