I first started boxing at 14-years-old inspired by watching Rocky films at home. Probably my biggest influence was watching a video of the Fab Four – Leonard, Duran, Hagler and Hearns. Really, you’ve got to say that Sugar Ray Robinson was the greatest ever boxer but Sugar Ray Leonard was my favourite and is definitely up there with the best. I had my first fight only six months after taking up the sport, aged 15, at Lancing Parish Hall. I remember eating two cheeseburgers before the fight and feeling a bit rough when I got into the ring; it’s fair to say that I never did that again! I ended my amateur career on 64 fights, winning 40 of those and managed to achieve a lot. I was the Southern County champ several years running, an English and British University winner, a Haringey Box Cup gold medallist and was lucky enough to represent England abroad. I grew up next to Preston Park and you could always find me and my mates playing football over there any chance we could get. I was lucky to have that on my doorstep and I think it definitely played a part in becoming a [...]