The 24-year-old boxer gets his first world title shot in Riyadh this weekend and though he’s been trying to play it cool, he’s got more and more excited as the date draws ever closer.

He told Boxing News magazine: “They’ve all been excited for the whole 24 weeks, since it first got announced, but I’ve just been trying to keep a level head.

“When I found out all those weeks ago, I couldn’t let myself get too excited and end up burning out.

2But now, with it getting closer, it’s all starting to feel real, and I’m just buzzing to get in there.

2My whole family, even my little niece and nephew, are coming out there as well.

“It’ll be something we’re always going to remember.”

Sam believes his biggest strength is his “strength”.

He said: “My strength is my strength really…

“Obviously there’s more to me than just that, but my strength is really what separates me from a lot of the other lightweights.

“I was always quite small when I was younger but, as I got older, I started getting more stoppages and winning more titles.

"Now that I’m 28, I’m coming into my peak.

“I bench press 130kgs, squat 160, and deadlift 200.

“The bar ain’t got far to travel, I’ve only got little levers.”