The 34-year-old heavyweight is currently preparing to face Daniel Dubois in the ring and his current trainer Ben Davison – who runs one of the country’s busiest gyms – revealed the fighter is always keen to learn wat he can from the people around him.

Ben said: “He’s a student of the game – he loves the sport, he is keen to improve, is hungry, and such a joy to coach.

“We work on scenarios, creating, practising. He loves it, he is passionate and he learns off the others.

“He is very respectful. He is like a sponge and listens.

“The only thing I have to do is manage a full-time gym and schedule.”

While Daniel’s own trainer, Don Charles, is more than aware of AJ’s talents, he’s still confident his own boxer will triumph.

He said: “Not many people realise I trained [Anthony], for quite a while.

“But I am relishing this opportunity and concentrating on Daniel.

“We have improved his mental side.

“Daniel’s fought in big stadiums before and he knows he can deliver.

“We had a tough route to win this belt and we have a lot to lose.

“We got hit too easily against Hrgovic and we have addressed this. The leakage is blocked.

“This version of Dubois is all wrong for AJ. He became an apprehensive fighter and, for a guy not so sure of himself, no matter what Ben Davison says, Dubois wins by knockout.”