Wright is priming himself for a "massive performance" to kick off the new boxing season next month.

The Hartlepool fighter, without a win in his last three fights, will defend his English light-welterweight title against Derby's Scott Haywood on Friday, September 5.

And the 29-year-old explained how cash is tight in the build up to the 10-round battle in Nottingham in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

Wright, like many professionals, has a day job fitting his boxing around his work as a recreation assistant at a leisure centre.

The Gus Robinson star gave up shifts at the swimming pool ahead of his Commonwealth title clash with Ajose Olusegun in February and before his international date with Paul McCloskey in Ireland next month.

And he's doing the same again ahead of the fourth defence of his English belt.

"I've packed in work, which causes stress on the family with no wage coming in," said the dad of one.

"But I know if that means making a sacrifice or two then that's what I have to do.

"I don't want to look back in 10 years and think 'it could have been different if I'd done this or that'.

"I must totally dedicate myself to my boxing to find out whether I can achieve what I want to get to in my career."

Wright is desperate to get another crack at the British title – he was outpointed in his previous attempt by Londoner Lenny Daws in the capital in May 2006.

And the southpaw feels he is improving all the time, despite his last two fights ending in points defeats to Olusegun and McCloskey.

"I do feel everything has clicked together," said Wright. "I'm training better than I've ever trained and my last two performances have been two of my best even though the record book shows I've lost both.

"I boxed well against Olusegun, but switched off, then the McCloskey result was ridiculous.

"I thought on that night I'd won and having watched a tape of the fight since there's no way I should have lost.

"So while I'm coming into this fight on the back of two losses, I'm not disheartened at all.

"I know I need a massive performance to get myself back into the
British title picture and hopefully I can produce it at Nottingham."

Wright has been buoyed by some sparring sessions with Amir Khan.

The boxing wonderkid trained with Wright as he had been booked to fight southpaw Derrick Gainer on Saturday, September 6.

Now the American has pulled out Team Khan will turn their attention to an orthodox sparring partner.

But Wright says he benefited from the experience.

"It was top-notch stuff, just as you'd expect from Khan," he said. "He's quick and sharp, with a high work-rate.

"My defence was good and so was my jab and I caught him with a few shots. I'm pleased how it went."