A Kingston boxer looking to take on the world has said he wants his story to inspire people “trapped” making poor decisions to break the cycle.

Daniel Egbunike, 28, served two separate sentences in prison for dealing drugs when he was younger, one for 18 months and one for four years (serving nine months and two years respectively).

He said: “Being away from people for two years, it made me change. I’ve always done little bits of boxing here and there, but during the second time I decided to commit to it.”

The day he was released, “Danny Darko”, as he is now known in the sport, went to 2 Kings gym near his home.

He said: “If I didn’t go there, I wouldn’t be a boxer today. I’d made up my mind in jail, and as soon as I came out I went straight there.”

Boxing became his life, and he quickly rose up the amateur circuit, winning the Amateur Boxing Association novices and open class titles.

Your Local Guardian:

"If I didn't go there, I wouldn't be a boxer"

He began training in Essex with coach Kevin Killy, being managed by Anthony Joshua’s corner man Peter Simms, when he decided to go professional.

So far, he has had three professional fights and won all of them, with two being won by knockout.

Surrey Comet asked what his short and long-term ambitions are.

He replied: “Short-term, I want to get a domestic title. Long-term, I want to get a world title. I know I have work to do, but every day I’m better than I was the day before. I got to this point faster than I thought I would.”

Now he wants what he hopes is the beginning of a long story to inspire people who were making the kinds of “bad decisions” he was.

He said: “I had a lot of friends who were in a similar situation to me. They were trapped – and that’s the word I use – in that situation. They thought they couldn’t get out.

“If I could do one thing with boxing, it would be to show people that it doesn’t matter what you’ve done or how bad your past, you can make a change and commit to something. You can do whatever you want.”