After the biggest fight of his career ultimately ended in disappointment last year with world title defeat to Toshiaki Nishioka in Japan, Leicester’s most high profile boxing talent, Rendall Munroe, is determined to come back stronger than ever and make an even bigger impression on the world stage.

Training with the same intensity he has always shown, there is a renewed focus about Rendall, who has taken his professionalism to another level under the watchful eye of conditioning expert, Hardip Singh, and recently signed the first sponsorship deal of his career, with boxing giants Everlast.

Looking back on his world title shot, Rendall is philosophical about an experience he considers as a huge learning curve.

“If they gave me a re-match in Japan I would take it hands down. He’s pound for pound the best 8st 10lb there is and I managed to stand toe to toe with him for 12 good rounds. There were a few hiccups but I’ve proved I’m good enough to fight at world level.

“I learnt that it’s not all about strength. When you step up to a new level people make you make mistakes and that’s what Nishioka did. He used my strength to his advantage. He’s the best I’ve ever fought. He wasn’t the biggest hitter but he was sharp. They say the fast punch is the one that will knock you out because you won’t see it, and he was fast.”

Munroe’s first fight after losing to Nishioka saw him return to winning ways with a 12 round victory over Andrei Isaeu for the WBA international super-bantamweight belt in April, a performance the boxing bin man was satisfied with.

“It was a case of proving to myself that I’m not all about fighting, I can box as well. I injured my hand in that fight, which was a bit of a blessing in disguise. I could’ve stopped him in the fifth or sixth, but my trainer told me to outbox him in 12 rounds, which I did. I showed another style. I’ve got more skills then any boxer, I’ve gone back to the drawing board and everything’s looking good at the minute.”

Having spent the majority of his professional career under the stewardship of promoter, Frank Maloney, Munroe elected to join the Hatton Promotions stable in March and has high hopes for the future.

“We’re waiting to see what they come with. The Hatton’s idea was for me to have two fights and then come back for a world title fight, but things have slowed up because nobody wants to fight me. I’ve proved how good I am and a lot of people are trying to hide away. It’s down to the Hatton’s to sort it out.

“Maloney was talking about six and eight round fights. I’d just put my name on the board as one of the best in the world, how could I go back to fighting six and eight rounds? This opponent had won three of his six fights and I’d be fighting him in Sunderland. It didn’t really make any sense and Maloney wanted me to sell tickets! People had been to see me box the best in the world and he wanted me to fight someone who had won three fights.”

Still as obsessive about his fitness as ever, Rendall talked about how his training has developed over the years and, at 31, why he believes there is plenty more gas in the tank.

“My training has changed loads over the years. I’m working with Hardip Singh on the diet and the conditioning side. I used to go to the gym, work with my trainer and then go home and go for a run, and that’s changed.

“I’m the next Bernard Hopkins! I think I’ll still be going when I’m touching 50, with the work Hardip does keeping me in shape. I live well, they only bad side for me is that I love Caribbean food, which is the heaviest food, but I don’t drink or smoke. I like to go out now and again, but all the lads laugh at me because I’m ready for home by 2am.

“There’s plenty left for me, I’m still learning. I didn’t turn professional until I was 24 and a lot of young boxers turn pro at 18. At 31, I’ve just stepped into the bigger league. I’m still fit and there’s nobody out there to match me. You get some of the young’ins wanting a race and they’re not meeting me!”

Someone keen to give back to his local community, Munroe received an Honoured Citizen Award of Leicester in January and regularly offers his services as a mentor at local schools. Rendall explained what his loyal fans mean to him and how he intends to remain a man of the people.

“The fans are the ones for me. It’s about following dreams and I attract new fans every time I box. At the weigh-in in Japan I could see a lot of fans and a lot of friends. I’m in a hard man’s sport but those things get to you and when they called out my name and I got on the scales, I had to take a deep breath.

“I’m a down to earth guy and I talk to everyone. A few weeks ago my Mrs and I were shopping in ASDA and some old bloke came up to me, saying he needed to shake my hand, so I shook his hand and he asked what I was doing there, he thought I’d have somebody doing my shopping for me!

“A lot of the kids look up to me and appreciate what I’m doing, and their parents do, too. I talk to the kids on a level where they understand where I’m coming from. I came from the streets and I’m saying to the youth that it doesn’t matter what background you come from, if you want to do something in life, you just do it and I’m your proof.”

There’s good reason for the super bantam-weight’s grounded attitude, it comes from a steely determination to succeed having overcome every barrier put in his way.

“It doesn’t seem like five minutes ago that I was driving to the gym with three coats on because my car had no heating, and my manager had to tow me off the motorway a few times because I’d run out of petrol and was determined to get to the gym. All the hard work is paying off now.”

So what would be the dream fight for Rendall, a big money match-up in the States? No, the answer is the opportunity to fight in front of his loyal fans at the home of his beloved Leicester City.

“I want to be a World Champion and fight at the King Power stadium. People talk about Las Vegas and the MGM, and they would be nice, but with the support everyone gives me in Leicester, I want to fight in front of my home crowd. I’ve had 24 professional fights and never boxed in my home city. A world title fight in Leicester would be the one for me. To fight in my own back yard would be a dream.”

That dream is still alive for the likeable Munroe whose enthusiasm and popularity seems to grow with every fight.