Echoes of Gold Coast in Essex for Docherty

things work in a difficult situation and Eddie has done an unbelievable job to pull everything together. I’m just grateful that he’s chosen to put me on this show. And now I need to repay him for that.”

The pandemic has derailed the 22 year-old’s progress this year and there is an evident sense of relief that Hearn has been able to come up with an arrangement that meets all of the stringent requirements to allow him to step back into the ring.

Like someone keen to get the dog out for a walk before the forecast thunderstorm arrives, however, the undefeated Docherty just wants to get another fight under his belt before a second wave of the virus shuts down live sport once again.

“I’m keen to get going again and add another win to my record,” he added. “Hopefully it will be a knock-out so I can put out a statement to the rest of the division that I’m coming for them.

“The British title is still my next target and a good win in this fight should take me closer to that. But we don’t know how things are going to play out over the next few months.

“I basically want to get my fight out the way as I think there’s going to be a second wave of Covid-19 coming around and everything will stop again. I need to get this done and then I won’t have to worry about that for a while. And when Covid finally goes away then I’ll be on the hunt for titles.”

Docherty has a curious hybrid of an accent, a legacy of a childhood spent on the move and a professional career honed down south under the watchful eye of trainer Tony Sims.

Montrose, though, will always be home, and a hero’s welcome tends to await whenever he returns.

“My mum, dad and my little brother still live there so I go back home after every fight if I can,” he added. “And my granny and grandad are there too. So I’m always happy to get back when I can. Everyone knows everyone in Montrose so people always stop for a chat.”

Docherty has fought professionally only once in Scotland, a first-round stoppage of Wilmer Gonzalez at the Hydro in Glasgow last year. He is eager for a repeat, however, on a card packed full of Scottish talent once fans are allowed back.

“I know Scotland will always back me all the way and I’d love to get a show up there soon,” he added. “Everything I do is for my country. I’d love to get a title fight in Scotland one day. But a big show anywhere with all the best Scottish fighters on the card would be brilliant.”

When Covid goes away I’ll be on the hunt for titles