Boxer James Moorcroft on the challenges, and changes, of 2020

Now, nearly a year on, he is still waiting after the Covid-19 pandemic forced him and many others to put their plans on hold.

During the lockdown, Moorcroft linked up with a new coach - former WBA lightweight world champion Anthony Crolla.

And while the 27-year-old has been frustrated at not being able to box, he has found positives from the enforced layoff.

“I don’t look at it as a waste of time at all, because it’s been really good to work with Ant,” said the Hindley fighter.

“We had to adapt to his training methods, and sometimes people have changed coaches and had to get that bond in eight weeks. The good thing with this break is we’ve really had a chance to click.

“We’ve had time to strip it back and work on basics and drills, which you couldn’t really do if you’re in camp preparing for a fight.

“He knows I’m not someone who will go into the ring and do my own thing, I can fight to instructions. So having so long has been beneficial... but I’m ready to go now.”

Moorcroft hopes the rollout of a vaccine may allow the country to return to some sort of normality early in 2021, and allow him to return to the ring in spring as he bids to add to the 13 wins he has chalked up since turning professional in 2017.

“Unfortunately I can’t be too optimistic, but I want to get back in the ring as soon as I can, if any opportunity comes up I’ll take it,” said Moorcroft, who previously fought out of the Blundell’s Gym stable.

“If it’s February or March, who knows? But I’m more than ready to go when a chance comes.”

In the meantime, he will continue to train – even if he had to force himself to take a break over Christmas!

“I’m not a big drinker anyway and I know it’s a cliche boxer thing to say, but I love to train,” he added.

“I was training on Christmas Day last year because I had a fight in January. Ant wanted us to have a few days off over Christmas, which will be hard for me. I won’t know what to do!”