Dave Abraham insists he cannot lose as he prepares for his second professional bout against Larry Olubamiwo tomorrow night.

The 29-year-old from Watford (1-0) made light work of Moses Matovu on his debut in March and is fully aware former Southern Area champions Olubamiwo (10-12) will be a tougher proposition.

Yet the 6ft 4in heavyweight, who quit his job as a lifeguard at Watford Leisure Centre after a chance meeting with former WBC world heavyweight Bermane Stiverne at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas, is quietly confident ahead of tomorrow’s bout.

And having fallen back into the sport he first took up as a 13-year-old, Abraham is philosophical when it comes to his next fight.

“I have messed up so many times so I know what I could have missed out on,” admitted Abraham. “I can’t lose, I have done more than I thought I could ever do already.

“I never thought I would be friends with an Olympic gold medallist; I never thought I would be a professional boxer and I never thought I would spar with a world champion.

“I have day-dreamed about this stuff so if I do lose, at least I got up and gave it a go. I could have been starting a 6am shift poolside on Saturday but instead I’ll be doing something I love.

“I have got to be on my game because once you’ve got those gloves on, it will always hurt when the other guy lands one on you.”

The Olympic gold medallist in question is none other than Watford’s own Anthony Joshua. The pair have been friends since their amateur days and have remained in touch since.

However, Abraham is adamant he is not looking to merely become Anthony Joshua Mk II.

“I would not want to emulate Anthony because there is only one Anthony Joshua and one Dave Abraham,” he stated.

“He called me up before a fight recently to ask if I had any size 16 boots I could lend him as his feet are getting bigger now,” he chuckled. “He is someone who I have known for a long time, we are both former Finchley boys and I can just call him up to have a chat.

“We always wish each other good luck before our fights. He is definitely someone to look up to though.”

Whilst it is Abraham who looks up to the 25-year-old former Olympian, it was the turn of Matovu last time round to look up the debutant in the ring.

The Ugandan cruiserweight was not only a different weight to Abraham but considerably shorter than the former Westfield pupil, who admitted Olubamiwo is a “proper heavyweight”.

Speaking after his victory against 38-year-old Matovu, Abraham said: “Although he was game, the guy before was a cruiserweight. You really want to see me up against a proper heavyweight.”

So what can be expected when Abraham meets Olubamiwo?

“I think it will be a great contest,” he responded. “I see me being able to land punches better than last time because I had an opponent practically running away from me – it was a survival fight for him.

“I will be going for a win to keep the momentum going.

He continued: “If I worry about what he is going to do I would not be worrying about myself. If I think my jab is my strongest tool but I am more worried about what he can do that I will be thinking about defence when really I should be working on that jab.

“Once the bell goes it all changes. He is definitely a step up but I believe in myself.”