Teddington boxer Kieran Leinster has declared himself in the shape of his life, but it has not come without some hard graft.

The former St Mary’s University student successfully defended his UKBU super middleweight title by way of a first round knock out of James Darks - unbeaten in 15 fights - at York Hall on Friday night.

But he was back in the gym on Saturday morning preparing for his Maximum Battle Champion of Champions clash with Steve Gale at Princes Hall in Aldershot on September 19.

“It was the smartest, sharpest and strongest I have felt in the ring,” he said on Saturday.

“Tool sharpening continued this morning as I was back in the gym at 8am.

“My next opponent is a hard, talented fighter and this match promises nothing but excitement from the get go.”