He's coming home...

My trainer Bobby Rimmer has agreed to come up to the Olympian Gym in Ryhope from Friday to Monday each week to do some sessions with me. The rest of the time I'll be working with the coaches at the gym, which I set up with my dad, Phil, last year.

It's been good being in Manchester, but it does get lonely. I was with Brian Rose, my training partner, but he's moving back to Blackpool now he's got his driving licence.

For my last fight in December I was training from 12-2 then on my own for the rest of the day. It was getting pretty lonely.

As an amateur you were away from home all the time, but at least you were part of a team.

I thought about moving even when Brian was still in Manchester but when he went back to Blackpool that was the tipping point. I spoke to my dad about it, and Bobby.

Bobby knew the way I was feeling. I've given my flat up in Manchester and I'll be using the money from that to pay him. It's brilliant that he's coming up to help me.

It also helps that I've got the facilities in Ryhope to use. I've been training there for a week-and-a-half with the coaches there and it's gone really well. My dad's been along to watch some of the sessions, and so have a couple of my best friends.

I've been training really hard and I'm loving coming back here.

I'm a lot happier and I think it makes a difference. That will be important because I know my next fight is going to be a tough one.

I'm fighting Nathan King in Nottingham on February 5. He's a tough lad and I don't think he's fussed about who he fights, so I will have to be at my best.

But now I'm training in Sunderland, my preparation should be spot on.