Ashley Theophane is one of Britain's most interesting boxers of recent times.
After winning and then losing the British light-welterweight title between 2011 and 2012, Theophane moved to the United States to train at Floyd Mayweather's gym and leave his career in the hands of the unbeaten great.
Theophane went on to challenge for a world championship, losing to Adrien Broner in 2016, and travelled the globe fighting everywhere from America to Germany, Denmark to Ghana and Romania to the United Arab Emirates.
Now, after almost a decade without a fight in Britain, the 40-year-old will face Sam Eggington in a homecoming of sorts at Fly By Nite Rehearsal Studios, Redditch. And the Londoner has announced it will be his final fight.
"This is it," Theophane said in a recent interview with his favourite team Tottenham Hotspur. "I have nothing more to achieve.
"I’ve headlined in Las Vegas, fought at the MGM Grand three times, been British champion. I've fought and won in 12 countries. No active British boxer has more wins than me. I’ve had a great career. It’s time to wrap it up and help out the next generation."
Theophane admitted in an appearance this week on the Ak and Barak Show (on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation) that it doesn't matter to him whether he bows out with a win or loss, but rather than he calls it a career with the best possible performance.
"I haven't fought on home soil in eight years," he explained, "so there is a new set of fans I have to perform for.
“Sam is tough and he’s done it the hard way, it makes me train harder, knowing he wants to knock me out.”
Of course, with retirements being undone all the time in boxing, Ak and Barak couldn't help but ask if there was any chance Theophane would return to the ring after the Eggington bout.
“If I did come back, it would only be for the money," he admitted.
Theophane recently sparked a bit of a debate on Twitter by openly criticising Hennessy Sports, who are promoting his farewell against Eggington.
"I’ve been in professional boxing for 17 years," Theophane wrote. "First time I’ve been told it’s up to me and my team to sort travel out of our city for a TV boxing show. New experiences with Hennessy Sports."
Both fighters then made the super-welterweight requirement of 154lb on Thursday for the clash on Friday Dec. 11.
Eggington, who weighed 153.2lb, said: “I can’t wait for it, I’m ready to go now. I’m feeling strong and I made the weight comfortably so I’m going to perform really well for the viewers. This isn’t going to the judges, I’m not letting that happen again after my last fight.”
Theophane, who came in at 153.2lb said: “I’m really looking forward to a great fight with Sam. It will be a great night so tune in to see one of the fights of the year. This fight is not going to points. Theophane to win inside the distance.”