The 30-year-old boxer may have lost his WBA light-middleweight title during the bout in Los Angeles last August, but he enjoyed the experience of his first headline stadium fight and learned a lot.

He told Boxing News magazine: “Before the camp started, we took it as, ‘let’s enjoy it and have fun’.

“And if you look at it, when I was walking to the ring, I was enjoying it. I was having fun, I was enjoying the moment.

“And in the fight, pretty much the same, the whole fight I was just enjoying being there.

“Because just one fight that changes you from nothing to something.

“People don’t realise that I was preparing for that fight for 20 years; headlining a stadium fight. I enjoyed it; I had fun.

“I was fighting one of my favourite fighters, who I admire and respect a lot.

“Such a great event.

“Each fight was a main event fight and we were at the top of it. It’s a special night and I can’t explain how I felt.

“You know when people take drugs? What they feel – like, euphoria or something, right? That was the moment.

“I was just feeling happy and enjoyed everything because God gave me that opportunity and I was just enjoying it because I know that everything is in his hands. Whatever he has for me, I’ll take.”

However, Israil admitted he was “a little upset” with the result.

He said: “I’m not complaining about anything. I never did and I was a little upset with the result because I believe that I defended the belt as a champion.

“But it’s a huge experience for me. Terence is obviously one of the best, if not the best, fighter in the world right now.

“And it’s a big, big experience. Nothing but respect for Terrence.

“But I believe, as a champion, I defended that belt.”