Former world champion Charlie Shepherd says he is enjoying putting Cumbrian boxing back on the map.

Carlisle’s Shepherd last month attended a “Night of the Champions” event alongside Barry McGuigan, Ray Mancini and John Stracey before then attending the British Boxing Board of Control awards on September 28.

There, he caught up with the likes of British Boxing Board of Control chairman Charles Giles and former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton.

Shepherd admits it was great to catch-up with some old faces.

“Carl Frampton and Josh Warrington were there,” he said. “They have a big fight in December when they are fighting each other [at Manchester Arena on December 22].

“Dereck Chisora was there too, so there were some big names there and it was nice to be back in London.

“I got a mention as one of the ex-champions who was in attendance, so I got to stand up and give a wave. I got to speak to Charles Giles, as well. I keep bumping into him lately as he was there at the Night of the Champions, too. I really enjoyed it.”

Shepherd, who captured the IBO World Championship after defeating American Tom Johnson in 1999 in, arguably, one of the biggest nights of boxing Cumbria has witnessed, said: “I have been getting my face about a bit more now and it’s good to get my face about a bit more. It helps get my profile back up.

“With my family life, I kind of dropped out of the limelight for near enough a decade.

“So, my press-up world record [last year breaking the Guinness World Record for most press-ups in an hour before his record was then beaten] and things like that have allowed me to reinvent myself. It helps get Cumbria back on the map a bit more again.”

Shepherd also runs Four Belt Fitness on Raffles Avenue.

“The gym is ticking over really well and I have plans,” he added.