Were you surprised to win the British Boxing Board of Controlโs fighter of the year award?
I thought I was deserving of the award but I never thought I would get it due to the fighters that were in there in the mix as well [like Tony Bellew and Anthony Joshua]. There were some great fighters that were in there as well. To actually get the award was brilliant. It was a real nice achievement and a nice confidence booster. Itโs nice to know that my hard work and my performances arenโt going unnoticed. People are now beginning to take notice of my talent, which Iโve been banging on about for years! Now people are starting to believe it.
It was such an honour to be given that award, given the past winners.
What did you take from the Viktor Postol fight?
I took a lot of positives from that fight because it was kind of an off night for me. I kind of had an off night. I wasnโt performing the way I would have liked to have performed. I couldnโt get going for four, five, six rounds. I had to change my approach and change the way I was boxing. I started relaxing six, seven rounds in and I started getting my work flowing a bit more and I started nailing him a bit more.
Iโm really happy with the performance, the way the fight went. I learned about myself in there and Iโm taking a lot of confidence given that that was a 70% performance from myself.
What kind of pressure were you under?
I knew was riding on the back of the fight. I knew obviously Iโd made the decision that if I won it, I was coming into this [World Boxing Super Series] tournament. It was a huge fight.
There was a lot riding on the result of that fight and I put a lot of pressure on myself. I was just trying a bit too hard to impress and was too eager. But Iโve learned now. Now Iโm there. Fighting in the fights I want to be. The pressureโs off. Iโm performing much better in the gym.
What do you think of Ryan Martin (his November 3 opponent in the World Boxing Super Series)?
He is a good fighter. Heโs very well rounded. Heโs got fast hands, good timing. Heโs got good defence. Solid all round but heโs not special at any one thing in particular.
So Iโm going to have to be equally solid all round and not lack part of game, which I did against Postol. I was switching off and getting caught out at silly time while switching off.
I feel I can win the fight convincingly.