But this tough and canny product of the East End has, by hitting up family and friends, cadging favors from the trade and putting pals to work for next to nothing, fought his way through the fashion thicket to a rich present and probably richer future as a couture brand name.

FORBES: Fashion's Hard Case

"I fought the best lightweight in Europe - he's not ranked number two in the world by the WBA for nothing, " he said.

BBC: Romanov ends Thaxton's title bid