The MaxiNutrition Knockout: MEET THE BOXER – BOB AJISAFE

Starting on March 15 at Rivermead, Reading, Bob takes on Dean Francis for the coveted British light heavyweight title in the first set of quarter finals.

Hometown: Leeds

Professional record: 11 wins (3 knockouts), 2 defeats and 0 draws

Nickname: Lionheart – I’ve had that name a while now, since I first started boxing, I just thought it was applicable to me really, I’ve always shown the heart of a lion throughout my fights and I thought it was the best name for me.

It reflects my grit and my heart – you need a big heart in boxing to come through and prosper.

Titles: English champion and Commonwealth title contender.

Career highlight: I’d say I’m still striving to get there for my highlight, for now I’d say it would be picking up that British title in Reading on March 15th.

Aspirations: The first step would be winning a British title, that’s a big achievement and hopefully defending it as well and then moving on.

I’m just taking one step at a time, win the British title – I could probably say I can go all the way but first I want to win the British title and then move on to the European title, world title eliminators.

Preparations: My preparations have gone really well. I’m feeling really good and I’m very much looking forward to it.

The MaxiNutrition Knockout: It’s brilliant exposure for myself and on terrestrial TV a lot of people are going to get to see me fight, see me more often and build more of a following and showcase my skills.

It’s a brilliant platform to be on – I’m just taking one fight at a time and focussing on getting the British title and then I’ll take it from there.

Who Bob considers his biggest threat in the competition: I’m looking at them all as on the same sort of plateau, I won’t say there’s one particular rival.

They are all good fighters to be here and if I meet any of them so be it, but first things first and that’s to take care of business on the 15th.

What the fans can expect: You can expect a showcase of good boxing skills, slick movement and accuracy, power and everything should come together as it has done before and that’s what I’m going to do.

Life outside of boxing: I like to chill out with my mates, listening to music, I’m into my fashion, I watch some of the shows, shopping, going out to eat, going on holidays. I like travelling in general, city breaks and relaxing.

I go to the cinema on a Sunday to relax and chill.

I’ve always liked my fashion and I used to work in a department store so I’ve always been around clothes, dressing smart – that’s probably one of my main interests, it’s something I tend to focus on, new fashions and new seasons and stuff like that, I’m always checking them out, a bit like Kanye West and ASAP Rocky I like them.

Favourite films: I like everything really, the new ones that come out, I like a big spectrum; action, comedy, thrillers, Gladiator is a great film. I really like real life stories as well, like that interview with Mike Tyson, Undisputed Truth I like that.

Favourite music: A bit of House music, Hip Hop music – I like going to see shows, I’ve been to Manchester to see Tyga and I’ve been to see Wiz Khalifa.