Grimes looks to come back with a ‘Bang Bang’

The 30-year-old, who has one win and four defeats to his name, fights Liam Shinkwin at the Camden Centre, while he is also booked to appear on the Bedford Corn Exchange show in May as well.

Grimes, who has styled himself on American boxer Roy Jones Jr, has challenged himself to start showing the kind of form that won him success in the amateur ranks.

He said: “I’m trying to get back to my old self. Back in the day I did style myself on Roy Jones, I went into every fight thinking I was Roy Jones and I did get the results.

“In fact, I’m still Roy Jones. He’s gone downhill and so have I. I’m trying to get back to where I was, get back to the old Duane.”

Light welterweight Grimes admitted that it’s mainly problems away from boxing that have hindered his progress, but he is also aware he needs to step up his in-the-ring efforts, after losing to Ideh Ockuko in just the second round in November.

He said: “It’s hard to keep motivated when things happen at home and things happen in boxing that you’re not ready for, it puts you back. The fight with Ockuko, even Bobby (George) said I should have beaten him. The first round I hit him with every punch I threw, the second round I relaxed a bit and he hit me with three clean shots and I didn’t move. Then the ref stopped it.”

Shamrock trainer Mervyn Turner, who has lined up Matt Skelton to headline the bill in Bedford, is confident he has seen a change in Grimes and hopes his undoubted talent starts to shine through.

He added: “Duane had some problems. He’s been out of the gym, he did some silly weightlifting and we all know that destroys a boxer.

“There’s been some unfortunate things in his career, but now he’s back on track and over the last month I’ve seen a great improvement in Duane in the gym.

“He’s now back to his old self. If we can get him back to where he was, you will see a future champion because he really has got all the attributes.

“The last fight was stopped a bit early, but Duane didn’t help himself as he just stood there and took shots.

“Duane’s a tough, tough kid, sometimes that’s to his detriment as he just stands there and says you’re not hurting me, so why should I go anywhere.

“We’re getting him out of that, but he has a devastating left hook.

“We went down to Portsmouth and a very hostile crowd earlier in his career and he fought Floyd Moore who was three undefeated.

“He boxed brilliantly that night and took him out in one minutes 40 seconds. In that one minute we saw the old Duane and the devastating power he’s got.”