Paul Hughes has withdrawn from next month’s headline fight against Jay-Jay Wilson because of a knee injury.

His lightweight contest with Wilson was set to top the bill in the Professional Fighters League’s second Belfast show on 16 April.

Hughes, who will have knee surgery, said on Wednesday that he was “absolutely crushed”.

Donegal’s Darragh Kelly will step in as his replacement at the SSE Arena.

Kelly has won all nine of his professional bouts and now looks forward to the biggest fight of his career against the New Zealander.

“I have picked up a knee injury in preparations, and having explored every option, it just isn’t possible for me to carry on training,” Hughes said in a statement.

“I’ve consulted with my team alongside top professionals, and unfortunately, this injury cannot be pushed through anymore.”