Carlisle's former world champion boxer Charlie Shepherd has been celebrating after he completed a long-held ambition.

Having linked-up with Marvin Hagler in Cannock, Shepherd has now spent evenings with all four of boxing’s kings.

Shepherd had earlier spent nights with Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy “The Hitman” Hearns and Roberto Durán, before he completed the quartet in Staffordshire on November 1.

Then, three days later, Shepherd, who is currently working on his autobiography, again caught up with Hearns, the first boxer to win world titles in four weight divisions, and Hearns’ son, Ronald, who is about to make his American professional debut.

"Inside three days, which is unbelievable really, I was with Hagler on the Thursday, and Tommy Hitman Hearns on the Sunday," Shepherd said.

"So, that was only three days apart.

"But it was kind of weird because those two were involved in what is classed as the greatest three-round fight ever [in 1985].

"Then for me to see them both inside the space of three days, it was weird.

"That also saw me complete my ambition of having spent a night with each of the four kings."

On the work on his autobiography, Shepherd added: "He [The autobiographer] has been down for two sittings with me, and he has been staying over in hotels, and that will all be coming out shortly which I think will be good.

"I think I will probably have one more sitting with him before that comes out.

"Hopefully, I can shift some copies of the autobiography."

As well as meeting up with Hagler, Shepherd was also involved in "The Night of the Champions" alongside Barry McGuigan, Ray Mancini and John H Stracey in Cannock in September.

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, admits the Staffordshire venue is growing in popularity for boxing get-togethers.

"They are really, really good nights," he said.

"I was there for The Night of the Champions and for the event with Hagler this month, so it has been brilliant to get my face about again.

"Everyone knows who I am in boxing circles but it is nice to get that recognition again.

"I will be with Nigel Benn in Colne, Lancashire, next month and I will be back with Leonard again in June, so it’s all going very well at the moment."

Shepherd also runs Four Belt Fitness on Raffles Avenue.