I'm probably my biggest critic you know and I'm never happy with my performances. I never am and I probably never will be as I always feel there is room for improvement. I think this could have a lot to do with the fact that I've been heavily involved in boxing for a long time. I always compare myself with the top-ranked fighters and therefore I'm never completely happy with my displays. Having said that I can't be that disappointed with the win.

You were cut early on in the fight but stuck to your game plan and refused to panic. Sinitsin was being a bit naughty with his head at times but you kept your composure well. Where you aware of the tactics he was employing?

Sinitsin ranks as among the toughest and most durable fighters at the weight in the world game. How pleasing was it to drop him late in the fight and do you think your power is under-rated?

Yeah it very well could be. I've got a really high knockout percentage and I think that the majority of fighters at my weight know full well I can punch.

I actually began boxing at the age of 10 down at the Sparta, a club made famous by the great Ken Buchanan. I won a number of junior titles and travelled all over the world competing. Competing against such different styles was very beneficial. Out of 112 amateur bouts I think I lost 13. The highlight of my amateur career was winning a gold medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

I was yeah. The Olympics were on my mind but at that time I wasn't aware about the politics involved and the bad decisions and so forth. I guess it was God's plan that I turned over when I did.

It wasn't really that hard as I was around professionals from such a young age. For example I was chief sparring partner to Paul Weir when I was just 15-years old, who at the time was reigning world light-flyweight champion so I was around professionals all the time.

It was great as I was never protected as a pro you know. Even coming up if you look at some of the kids I fought early on I was being moved along very rapidly. Winning the title was great although I would have preferred to have boxed Wille Limond for it - but unfortunately it was not to be.

It was brutal but it was also the best thing that ever happened to me. My character changed before that confident that I became very egotistical. You've probably heard that I'm a Christian as well but I'd even lost my way with my Christianity at that point.

The way you reacted to the Gomez loss has impressed many in the trade greatly. Rather than go to ground or look for excuses you seem to have learned from the experience.

If you have the inner steel and a lot of drive you will definitely get back on your horse. I didn't prepare the way I should have prepared for the fight but I've come through it and I'm now a more consummate professional.

I'm afraid Gomez has nothing for me now. I think the public know that I'm the better man and that if we met again I would win the fight. I just think the way that he lives and the way he lost last time out, I'm not just going to keep bringing him back you know? He knows that I'm his dinner ticket and if he thinks I'm going to jump up to lightweight just to face him he's got another thing coming.

After beating Craig Docherty and Sinitsin, you have a high ranking now with the major governing bodies. Have you sat down and spoken to Frank Warren about your future plans?

We are actually due to sit down very shortly, maybe in the next week. I'm absolutely delighted about fighting on ITV. I genuinely think it's fantastic and I am hoping to catch the public's imagination in the same way Barry McGuigan did.

There has been talk in the media of another all-Scottish showdown with Scott Harrison. With your style I see that as being a very winnable fight. Is it a fight that excites you?

Most definitely. For sure. It would be another great occasion up here for the Border and I reckon we would need to get a football stadium as the fight would be so big. I take nothing away from Scot Harrison who is a fine champion and who is very, very strong. However I feel as a boxer I'm more versatile and that could be the key.

Barrera. I think he's the more experienced guy. He's been round the block and I use him as my inspiration for the way he bounced back from those two defeats by Junior Jones. He learned from his mistakes, came back and beat the likes of Naz and all these guys. That just shows the mark of the man. Of the other champions I managed to get a tape of Barrios the other day. He is very tough and very ungainly but I would certainly fancy my chances against him. Definitely.

My faith plays a major role. I genuinely believe that God has given me a job to do. I know I've got to work hard in the gym every day, watch my weight properly and do all the things it takes to compete at the highest level.

As we've said you are clearly in the know when it comes to boxing and its rich traditions. Who in your view then are the top three Scottish boxers of all-time?

Kenny Buchanan is the top man for me. Definitely. After Ken I would say Benny Lynch (flyweight champion of the 1930s), a truly great fighter and then I reckon it's between Tancy Lee or Jackie Paterson.

I feel I'm going to pick up a lot more as I go on but I'm certainly starting to mature now. I've just turned 27 and don't want to be fighting past the age of 32 really. Next year I reckon is going to be my year when I push on and get that world title fight.

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