Shannon Courtenay claims she is once again feeling positive after "the most horrendous" time of her life.

The Watford boxer is due to face Buchra El Quaissi at York Hall on Thursday in her fifth professional fight and says she is back to her best after struggling in her last camp ahead of a fight with Jasmina Nad.

In a candid interview with iFLTV, Courtenay admits she almost walked away from the bout, which she eventually won in October, but claims to now be back to her best.

"Like every professional boxer does, they go into every interview and every press conference and they go, 'The camp's been perfect, everything's gone to plan and I feel amazing.'" she said.

"I did the same thing and I admit I lied. Things didn't go right, not boxing wise, but things weren't right in myself outside of the gym. I almost didn't fight in the end because things weren't correct. [Trainer] Adam Booth pulled me together, him and Charlie [Beatt] told me what I needed to be told, I sorted my head out and got the win against a very awkward and tough opponent.

"Genuinely, it's like my life's done a 360, I'm back to being me. I haven't felt this good since my debut. Everything genuinely has gone perfect. It's nice to be in the right mindset again because I was in such a horrible dark place that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy and it was just the most horrendous six, maybe eight weeks of my life. It was just hell. Now I'm in a really good place mentally, physically, emotionally and I feel good and I'm really excited for Thursday because I know it's going to be my best performance."

Aside from those problems, Courtenay has had a very successful year in the ring, winning her first four fights since turning pro.

She is now looking to end a "perfect" first year with her fifth win on Thursday evening.

Speaking in her press conference ahead of the bout, Courtenay said all her energy was currently focused on continuing her unbeaten start.

"It's been a perfect first year as a professional, four wins," she said.

"My last fight was definitely a very good learning curve, she [Jasmina Nad] came out flying but we dealt with it and showed another tool that I can use in my boxing, looking forward to having my first ever stoppage at York hall, should be nice to finish the year there, hopefully get another win and then start actually thinking about Christmas because right now I don't think I've ever been so focused, not since my debut, I'm so focused on this fight, it's a little bit beyond a joke. I'm just so ready for it now."

After an excellent beginning to life as a professional, Courtenay has her eyes on an even bigger 2020, but knows that looking beyond her next fight could be a mistake.

However, she says that she is already beginning to think about challenging for titles.

"Obviously I'm not going to look past Thursday because you should never look past your next fight, that's a big mistake," she said.

"But I do believe, god willing, I'll come through Thursday with a win and next year will be a massive year. I can start stepping up opponents, start looking at titles and start really making a name for myself."