Age started boxing: Eight.

First boxing memory: Winning my first 16 amateur fights on the trot.

Inspiration: My family; my wife Leslie and my kids Shea (2) and Megan (5).

Favourite all-time fighter: Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler. Their conditioning, speed, power, hunger and heart.

Best fight you’ve seen: The best on video would be me against [Michael] Katsidis [Earl retired at the end of the fifth in a thriller last year]. For ups and downs, it has to be one of the best.

Pre-fight meal: It varies. But generally I can eat what I want.

What do you do to relax: Spend time with my kids, listen to music, watch TV, go for walks.

Pre-fight superstition: None. I just make sure I do everything in the gym; don’t cut any corners.

What training (if any) do you do between fights: I just tick over, a bit of running and gym work.

Typical breakfast: It varies. I was never a breakfast person until the last two years. I have porridge, Weetabix, boiled eggs for protein, orange juice.

Toughest part of being a boxer: Making weight and not cheating. But it’s all hard - you have to be mentally strong.

Favourite music: I like everything, but I listen to a lot of hip-hop.

Last book you read: Ken Buchanan’s autobiography [The Tartan Legend].

Favourite film: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

What car do you drive: A silver BMW 320M Sport.

Where do you train: We’re opening my own gym, House of Champions Ltd UK, on November 1, but I’m already training there.

Training routine: Again, it varies, which is good because you can get stuck in your work, but I generally train twice a day and then do my runs in the evening. Sparring and roadwork gets you your real fitness, then there’s bag-work, speed work, strength work and explosiveness training.

Toughest man faced: It’s got to be Katsidis, but Yuri Romanov [who Earl narrowly outpointed in 2006] is a close second. Romanov was a world-class boxer, but every shot Katsidis threw had something behind it. Non-stop pressure.

What supplements do you take: Protein and Berocca.

Job outside boxing: I’m a plumber by trade but I can’t stand it. I’d probably still work in the bank [as Earl did before he became a full-time boxer].

Last place you went on holiday: Malaga.

Best boxer in the sport today: Kelly Pavlik’s coming up for me. Everyone always says Floyd Mayweather but I think Pavlik’s no-nonsense.

Favourite football team: Liverpool/Luton. I’ve supported Liverpool since the age of seven.