How have you felt after all this time (two years) out of the ring?
Iโm feeling good. Iโm in a great place. Iโve had a brilliant camp from before Christmas so itโs been a long good camp. Iโm in great shape, Iโm in a great place physically and mentally. Iโm just looking forward to getting in there now.
Iโm excited. I canโt wait to get back in there, underneath the lights and do what I do best.
Why have you been out for so long?
Mainly injuries. I had this on going rib injury and couldnโt seem to shake itโฆ Now Iโm raring to go and canโt wait to get back in there. Iโm ready to kickstart my career and get a move on.
It was doing my head in. To have to withdraw from fights, it was devastating for me.
Realistically I havenโt got long left in my career, two maybe three years, so Iโm going to hit it hard.
What do you remember of the hype around you when you first turned professional?
It was many moons ago but Iโve got fond memoriesโฆ It didnโt seem to go to plan. It didnโt seem to happen. A couple of stop-starts throughout my career, problems in and out of the ring and it just didnโt materialise where I wanted it to go.
The main thing in my career itโs been way too long between fights. Now I just know Iโm going to be kept busy. Iโm going to be kept busy, kept active and thatโs what I need especially this last stretch of my career, this last chapter.
Iโve no doubt youโre going to see a hungry and improved fighter these coming months.
So do you feel you havenโt achieved what you could have with your talent?
100%. Iโve underachieved majorly. Iโve no doubt I should have picked up British, Commonwealth, possibly European [titles]. Who knows, I probably should have been on the verge of a world title shot if things had gone my way. It didnโt. Thereโs no point crying over spilled milk. I canโt turn back time, Iโve got to look to the future and the present and where I am now.
Iโm looking forward to knuckling down now, this last stretch of my career, giving it everything Iโve got and hopefully have some big nights ahead.
Have you got targets for who youโd like to fight?
I want the British title. As we speak Iโm in no position to call anybody out. But Iโll fight anyone, given the opportunity. [But] Iโm going to get myself in that position where theyโve got to fight me or vacate.
One way or the other Iโm going to get my hands on that British title, this year, fingers crossed.
I havenโt felt like this in yearsโฆ Youโre going to see me rejuvenated this year, 100%. String a good run of performances together and pick up some titles this year.