THERE are few closer relationships in sport than the one between a boxer and their trainer.

Muhammad Ali had Angelo Dundee, Cus D’Amato was the guiding hand which set a young Mike Tyson on the way to becoming ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’, while closer to home Liam Conroy’s career was shaped by Barrow ABC’s Jeff Moses.

These days, Conroy trains out of the MTK Gym in Preston under the tutelage of Johnney Roye, who has helped the 26-year-old rack up nine straight wins and earn a shot at the British light-heavyweight title next month.

Moses and Conroy remain close though, having been through plenty of ups and downs during the latter’s formative years as an amateur at the Brook Street gym where he is still an occasional visitor.

And Moses could not be happier to see his former protege finally achieve the ambition of fighting for the famous Lonsdale belt he has held since he first put on a pair of gloves.

“It’s his dream,” said Moses. “He’s always wanted to do, he’s tried so hard and he’s never given up.

“Even though he’s had some very bad decisions when he should have won them and thought ‘what have I go to do to progress?’, he’s stuck with it all the time.

“That carried on into his pro career and he still hasn’t given up, and now he’s got a massive opportunity and he can fulfil it.”

The bout on March 23 at London’s Copperbox Arena, live on Sky Sports, sees Conroy face arguably his toughest test to date as he takes on highly-touted unbeaten prospect Joshua Buatsi.

The 2016 Olympic bronze medalist has won all nine of his professional bouts, with seven stoppages, but Moses believes Conroy’s experiences from his 20 paid contests and his ability to adapt will pose Buatsi a challenge he has not yet faced.

“He might have his Olympic pedigree, but it’s a totally different style being on the England boxing team and in the Olympics to mixing it up,” said Moses.

“Liam can adapt, he can think on his feet pretty sharp and I’ve got every confidence in him he can do it. He’s a big, strong man now.”

Conroy is not the only Barrow ABC graduate to turn professional recently, with fellow light-heavyweight Mike McGoldrick and featherweight Ross Cooksey also proving an inspiration for the club’s youngsters.

“These are all lads who have come through our gym, turned pro and they’re standing out now,” said Moses.

“For Liam to be fighting for his British title is fantastic. Kids have got role models now who can live the dream and it happens.”