The 35-year-old fighter hung up his gloves in January after his ninth-round stoppage defeat to Jaime Munguia but he’s already back in the gym because he’s focused on taking his career in a new direction.

He told Boxing News magazine: “It’s only a few months since the Munguia fight.

“Normally I wouldn’t even be back in there because I’d have some time off getting fat, but I’m there every day now.

“It has sunk in that I’ve retired.

“I’ve just had my meeting with the Board, so I’m full steam ahead now.

“I just need to wait for the course and the first aid stuff to get my licence.

“I’m in the gym every day helping Tony [Sims] and learning my craft as a trainer.

“Once I get the dates for the courses, then it’s just a matter of getting it all done.”

John admitted his new focus has helped ease the pain of retirement, but it wasn’t originally in his plans until he was asked to step in for Tony.

He explained: “Being in the gym still has helped massively with retiring from boxing.

“Tony was away and couldn’t make it in on a Friday and he asked if I could go to the gym and just take Jimmy [Sains] and Maisey [Rose Courtney].

“When I was driving there, I was wondering how it would feel, what if I don’t belong now? Nut I walked in and it felt like home. It felt like I should be there.

“Now I just want to jump in. I’m looking forward to getting in the corners, getting my face back out there and trying my luck as a trainer.”