GARY Lockett didn’t think he would stay in boxing when he retired from the fight game eight years ago.

Still only 31, Cwmbran’s finest was looking to move in a totally different direction after failing to topple WBO and WBC middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik in June 2008.

Having quit the ring following his third-round loss to the American in Atlantic City, Lockett had every intention of developing his property portfolio.

But when he agreed to help a couple of young fighters with some coaching his original plans ended up taking a back seat.

Now a respected trainer guiding a stable brimming with top young talent, it would seem the 39-year-old made the right choice staying in the sport.

Two of his men, Nick Blackwell and Enzo Maccarinelli, have retired this year but Lockett still has plenty to keep him occupied.

Top of the class is British and Commonwealth super-welterweight champion Liam Williams, who puts his titles on the line against Gary Corcoran in Cardiff next month.

As well as Williams, Lockett trains Chris Jenkins, Dale Evans, Alex Hughes and Zack Davies, while he also manages Jay Harris – Evans, Hughes and Harris feature on the Ice Arena Wales bill on July 16.

There’s no getting away from the fact that things have been tough for the Lockett camp this year.

Blackwell was forced to stop fighting after suffering a bleed on the skull and being put in an induced coma.

However, the former British champion has made a full recovery and started the next chapter of his life, something Lockett is obviously delighted to see.

When asked what he expected from coaching when he began, Lockett said: “I don’t know, to be honest. I’ve had a lot of success quite quickly, more by luck than anything.

“Gavin Rees gave me a platform to show what I could do as a coach and then a couple of others were interested.

“Enzo Maccarinelli was next and we had some good fights together, Liam Williams came in, and then Nick Blackwell moved over from Trowbridge and won the British title on a fantastic night at the O2.

“It was sad with Nick but these things happen and every cloud has a silver lining, and he’s doing really well now. He’s opening a big gym and has got a lot of other things happening.

“Enzo has had a great career and won all the titles – British, Commonwealth, European and world – so he has got a career he can look back on with a lot of pride.

“There have been a lot of good times for the gym so far and hopefully they will continue in Cardiff on July 16.”

Speaking more about starting off as a trainer and what he expects from those wanting to join his Cardiff stable, he added: “I wasn’t going to go back into boxing when I finished fighting.

“I was going to concentrate on growing my property portfolio.

“A couple of kids asked me to help them and it went from there really.

“I really enjoyed what I did and found that I was pretty good at it.

“I just try and get on with it and do the best I can.”

He continued: “Kids that are not dedicated and who you have to do everything for, that’s a real challenge.

“To be a fighter you have to be self-motivated, otherwise you’re not going to get to the top.

“After seven years of coaching I’m able to see that a lot quicker these days.

“They get one chance and if they don’t pass the test then they’re gone, it’s as simple as that.

“Contrary to what people believe, boxers are not millionaires, and you don’t get paid a lot of money to train a fighter full-time.

“If they give me 100 per cent I’ll give them the same.

“I don’t think you should have to tell people they’ve only got one chance, that should be a given.

“As soon as I see anything that makes me doubt them then they get a warning, otherwise it’s not going to work, there’s no point.

“It wouldn’t be fair to me or them if I continue to train them when I don’t think there’s going to be any mileage in it.”

Lockett only lost two of his 32 fights as a professional and was a WBU middleweight and WBO Inter-Continental super-welterweight champion, yet he admits he “never loved boxing”.

“I’m much happier in the role I have these days,” he said. “It’s not really about me, it’s about the fighters.

“Seeing the fighters I’m involved with win titles is absolutely fantastic and makes me really happy and really proud.”