Age started boxing: Eight.

First boxing memory: Winning my first fight and winning the best boxer of the night award. I think it was in a working mens’ club in Dagenham.

Inspiration: My family; wife and daughter, Megan, who’s four months.

Favourite all-time fighter: Marvin Hagler. The way he started off as a journeyman then became a world champion and dominated at his weight.

Best fight you’ve seen: Gatti-Ward I. They just put absolutely everything into it.

Pre-fight meal: Pasta and chicken.

What do you do to relax: Listen to music, watch movies, play a bit of golf. My handicap? I am a handicap! I’ve played Nicky Cook. He beat me – I broke a club that day.

Pre-fight superstition: Nothing.

What training (if any) do you do between fights: I go to the gym three times a week – shadow-boxing, keep on top of my running.

Typical breakfast: All-Bran with blueberries or porridge.

Toughest part of being a boxer: Waiting for fights, not knowing when you’re going to fight next. I’ve had that a lot; that’s why I have managed only 15 fights in five years.

Favourite music: I like ‘70s and ‘80s mainly but I’m also a big Frank Sinatra fan and love Elvis.

Last book you read: Boxing News but that’s not really a book. Don King’s biography, Only in America. Favourite film: Braveheart. It’s one of those films you can just watch again and again.

What car do you drive: A Dodge Caliber in gun-metal grey.

Where do you train: At Hornchurch ABC with Paul Cook.

Training routine: I’m up at 5am to go for a run – 40 minutes to an hour – then back in the gym from 4pm-6pm for bag-work, pad-work, sparring, shadow-boxing, strength circuits. We do the strength circuits twice a week and spar twice a week when we’ve got a fight coming up.

Toughest man faced: Apart from myself, Craig Watson. I dropped down to light-welter, which isn’t a natural weight for me, and had to lose 13lbs in four days. Then I fought the wrong fight. But it was so physically draining in there.

What supplements do you take: Promax and Maximuscle Viper.

Job outside boxing: I run a car valeting business. I work six days a week and do well enough to have a nice lifestyle.

Last place you went on holiday: Cancun in Mexico with my wife and some friends.

Best boxer in the sport today: Miguel Cotto, but he’s got a lot to show when he comes back.

Favourite football team: West Ham.