I've been in California for 19 weeks. I went back there on April 5 for an eight-week training camp. I was supposed to be fighting in July but for some reason I found out in mid-June that my promoter was not having a boxing show until September 3.

I was gutted. Rather than flying back home and staying in Sunderland I decided to stay out in the States working in the gym learning my trade. I persuaded my fianceé Sarah who is a nurse at Sunderland A&E to stay with me.

I have written a blog nearly every time I've flown abroad since the Olympics and every single one starts with something like this "the worst part of the flight is walking past all those people in business class to get to my small economy seat". Well for the first time in my life I flew back business class!

When we where checking in at LAX airport they asked if we'd like to upgrade. I said, 'I'd love to - how much?' and then they told me. It wasn't cheap so I said unfortunately I couldn't afford it.

My fianceé knows I've always wanted to see what it was like to try it. But I haven't fought for so long so I've not been earning. When I said no , she stepped said "Yes we will please!"

I told her don't be daft and she said to me "You've been working really hard and had a bit of bad luck with not fighting, I really want to treat you, rather than sitting there all uncomfortable seat, have ten hours of real relaxation."

My face lit up and I started to get excited

She whipped out her credit card and boom, before I knew it we were in the British Airways first class lounge in Los Angeles airport with two hours before we boarded.

She was supping on a glass of champagne and I had my face in a plate full of food, it was a amazing! I was like a kid at Christmas.

There were hundreds of people waiting to board and they called first and business class to get on first.

When we took our seats they came round with toiletry bags full of goodies and hot towels to get washed. I wasn't even dirty but I thought what the hell, I'm taking full advantage of everything and start scrubbing my face and neck!

Sarah and I were laying in our own booth watching a film. I had my feet up, a belly full of top quality food, a cup tea to my left, a cheese plate to my right and loads of space, the BA staff treated us like royalty!

It really was an experience I won't ever forget.

I was pretty tired but my electric seat could lay flat like a bed but I didn't want to sleep because I didn't want to miss anything.

The list of films on the TV screens included brilliant movies still on at the cinema in the UK.

If anyone is reading this who flies business class regularly I need to tell you, you are very, very lucky. For the people like me, who until recently had never experienced it, I really, really hope you do some day, as I hope I do again in the future.

Thanks for reading, and don't forget to catch my column in the Sunday Sun every week. For those who don't know, the Sunday Sun is a completley different company to the Sun or the News of the World.