AHMED SETS HIS SIGNS ON GOLD IN OZ

“You’re going through a losing phase and there were tough times even travelling so I was getting put off the sport.

“I quit for about a year and a bit but realised eventually I missed the sport too much.

“I trained for three months in the gym without sparring.

“There was spewing in training! The part I hate is losing my fitness after a fight and trying to get it back. That’s what I was like for three months.

“I came back in 2011 and made the 2014 Games so I was more settled. I was happy just to make the Games after having quit.

“But reaching the next Games is different – because my mind frame is totally different. I’m almost expecting a medal.”

One of nine boxers bound for Australia, Ahmed watched 2014 Team Scotland pals such as Josh Taylor and Charlie Flynn win gold medals at The Hydro.

Both have since turned pro with Taylor already being tipped for a world title tilt next year.

Ahmed was heartbroken to miss out on the medals back in 2014 and said: “I was a little jealous of the others. Not in a bad way – just in the sense of that’s what I wanted.

“That disappointment has driven me on, 100 per cent. I stayed amateur because I wanted another go at the Games.

“I get on well with Josh and he is definitely the best prospect coming out of Scotland.

“It shows how quickly things can move on. At Glasgow I was one of those least expected to medal – this time I’m one of those definitely expected to.”

Lightflyweight Ahmed lost in this year’s European and World Championships to GB Olympian Galal Yafai but insists he isn’t “far away from him”. The fact he isn’t competing alongside his sparring partner for GB Boxing, though, is a low blow Ahmed wants addressed.

He said. “I’ve been making a good case for three years to get on the GB team.

“It should have happened sooner – I’ve won the British title three years running and golds at 10 of my last 11 events so it’s a bit suspicious.

“All I’ll say is there have been boys put on GB for less. I’d like to think a Commonwealth gold would finally do it.”

Looking around the Olympia Theatre in Glasgow as 35 more Team Scotland athletes were unveiled last week it was hard to ignore the fact that Ahmed’s boxing style isn’t the only thing that sets him apart.

He says: “I feel like I am a role model in a sense. I’m the only Asian boxer at my gym who has stuck by it.

“There will Asians who do look up to me in Motherwell.

“At Glasgow 2014 there were no other Asians in the Scottish team. But I don’t feel pressure, I just take it as it comes.”

Comparisons with Amir Khan are likely to remain though. Asked if he sees himself on I’m a Celebrity, he says: “Not like Amir, no. But you never know, anything can happen.” Commonwealth Games and feels he’s ready to emulate Josh Taylor who is lined up for a world title shot.

He said : “We came through together – Josh, Charlie Flynn and myself.

“I’ve done my time on the undercard and now is the time for me to step it up.

“If I c a n be c ome Commonwealth champion in the next few months then I reckon I could add another major title next year.”

Joe has a puncher’s chance – five of his 12 rivals haven’t heard the final bell.

Meantime, though, he’ll continue his wood work.

“He said: “I’ve been lucky because my bosses are very understanding and they have sponsored me from the start.

“Right now I’m mainly doing maintenance work. Once I’m finished, I head for the gym and get my other work done.

“I need to be right for the fight with Vargas because I’m at the stage when I can’t afford any slip-ups.”