TARIQ Quaddus’ trainer Richard Farnan says that he is not surprised that his southpaw is fighting for his first title.

When the 24-year-old walked into the Horseshoe Gym in January, the former England amateur was a quiet and reserved character.

But now, having sparred with the likes of British light-middleweight contender Liam Williams, world super-middleweight prospect Callum Smith and middleweight star Chris Eubank JR, the Swindon-based light-heavyweight faces a former foe of his training partner Kelvin Young for the British Masters Bronze title.

When Quaddus steps between the ropes to tackle Sam Couzens at the Hermitage Leisure Centre, Whitwick, Leicestershire on December 7, it will be his and Farnan’s sixth fight together.

The pair joined forces at the start of the year as Quaddus looked to put a five-and-half-a-year hiatus behind him.

“If you’d asked me after his first fight back in March (against Christian Gomez) this year I think maybe get him up to maybe eight or nine fights before we start looking at a Bronze Masters,” Farnan said.

“We have done some great sparring, we got the Eubank sparring. He has been in the ring with Liam Williams, the lad from Wales who trains under Gary Lockett, Liam is mandatory for a British title.

“He has done 17 rounds with Callum Smith and held his own. When you start mixing in this sort of company and you are holding your own I’m not surprised that we got this first title shot.”

Farnan has plotted Couzens’ downfall once before when guiding Young to the Southern Area title in October last year.

And while the trainer knows that Young and Quaddus are two very different fighters he says that he is expecting Couzens to be very similar to the one they met last autumn.

“I know Sam inside out,” Farnan said. “Sam has probably taken a lot from what he has seen of Tariq online now, he is getting to learn Tariq.

“I know what Sam brings, he is not going to change overnight, I know what is coming, it is going to be a great fight.

“I’m expecting a very game, fit come forward all the time Sam Couzens.

“I can’t see Tariq losing, I can’t, it doesn’t even enter into my head.”

For tickets for this bout contact Farnan on 07876 402224 or Quaddus on 07747 778485.