NICK Blackwell’s new trainer Gary Lockett says that taking the Trowbridge fighter under his wing has been like a breath of fresh air at his Cardiff gym.

‘Bang Bang’ Blackwell, who has long worked with Mark Kent at the Contender Gym in his hometown, has opted to train under Lockett in the build-up to his British middleweight title showdown with John Ryder at London’s O2 Arena this Saturday.

Despite working with some of Wales’ biggest stars, Lockett says that he was ‘flattered’ that Wiltshire Blackwell was keen for his tutelage and the former world title-challenging middleweight is hoping that he’s added an extra dimension to the 24-year-old’s arsenal.

“He’s a really nice kid. He’s refreshing to have in the gym,” Lockett told the Wiltshire Times.

“We’ve got a code of ethics in here that everyone gets on with each other and everyone’s respectful of each other and there’s no acting like some boxers act, calling people out and acting daft on camera. Nick’s slotted right in.

“He approached me about coming over and I think he thought he needed something different. He saw the way that I worked with the other guys and I think he liked it.

“I said ‘you have to do it the right way and approach Mark, ask him first and see that he’s okay with it’. He’s here now and he seems to be enjoying it.

“For me, to be approached for someone outside of Wales is very flattering.

“The thing is with Nick, because he’s fit all year around and he’s always working hard, we can just concentrate on technique with him.

“With a lot of the guys, they don’t really behave like professional athletes outside of a fight. They go off eating rubbish and they don’t do any training for weeks and weeks, and when they come back into the gym, you’re working on their fitness more than anything.

“Nick looks after himself so we’ve been able to concentrate on the fight for two months, which is a really good thing.

“We’ve been involved in big fights with big Enzo (Maccarinelli), Gavin Rees, Liam Williams and then I’ve got some very good fighters coming through, so it’s great to have Nick as well.

“We’re going to try and get the tactics right and bring the British title back.

“He’s a good, talented kid as well and we’re trying to encourage him to use his skills a little bit more and think a little bit more.”

Experienced cutsman Bob Plant will be in Blackwell’s corner at the O2, along with trainer Locket and new stablemate Liam Williams, the current Commonwealth super-welterweight champion.

READ OUR FULL PRE-FIGHT SPECIAL WITH NICK BLACKWELL IN THIS FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES