I'M back in training now, full tilt ahead of my April 19 showdown in Las Vegas with Bernard Hopkins.

However, yesterday I only did a half session as I was in London to present an award to some very good friends of mine.

I presented the GodLike Genius award' to the boys from the Manic Street Preachers at last night's NME awards at the O2 Arena in London.

Normally award shows aren't really my scene, but the guys in the band are all big fight fans and I have known lead signer James Dean Bradfield for many years.

I have always liked their music and James in particular has been along to support me many times, attending my fights and even dropping in at the gym to wish me luck.

He tells a good story about me sprinting past him when we were at school, enough to convince him his talent and future was going to be based around music and not sport!

We were all on a Welsh table' last night, the boys from the Manics were on great form.

However, I can categorically assure you that I didn't touch a drop of alcohol, training is my priority and I came back to Wales late last night so that I could hit the gym today. I think I was probably the only person in the whole arena who didn't get drunk!

As you know I spent last week in America doing a press tour with Hopkins.

While I enjoyed meeting with the American press and the interest in the fight, spending a week with Bernard is enough to drive a man insane!

The week dragged a bit, lots of travelling and a chance to listen to more rubbish from Hopkins.

My word, the guy talks some nonsense.

Half the time he was talking like I was some young pretender, a rookie who was going to be intimidated when he says ridiculous things like, "Joe needs to be prepared to die."

Ultimately I have been a champion for ten years and boxing for a quarter of a century, I have plenty of experience and he can't unsettle me in any way, shape or form. I've been boxing longer than he has.

However, I really don't have a problem with him taking on the role of villain.

It's the easiest way to generate headlines at press conferences, the complete opposite of when I fought Mikkel Kessler, he's a genuinely nice fella and we had mutual respect for one another.

Bernard seems to be following Floyd Mayweather's example - that'll be World Wrestling Entertainment's Floyd Mayweather! - and is ready to trash talk until the cows come home.

It's fine with me; I want to play the role of good guy, until fight night Training is going great, no hand problems at all and the atmosphere in the gym is at an all-time high.

It's absolutely brilliant, me, Enzo Maccarinelli, Gavin Rees, Bradley Pryce, Gary Lockett, Nathan Cleverly, Kerry Hope, Harry Miles and our new recruit Tony Doherty are ALL training for fights in the next seven weeks or so.

It means we've got great sparring options and the camaraderie is superb, everyone pushing everyone else while my dad plays the role of sadistic trainer.

I predicted that Jermain Taylor versus Kelly Pavlik would be a tough one to call and it was, Pavlik winning on points for those of you who missed it.

I suggested that Taylor had the better boxing skills and thought he could cause an upset and halfway through the fight I thought that might happen.

However, he lost because he lacked stamina, Pavlik is fit as a fiddle and was comfortable in the latter rounds.

It's been mentioned more than once that the winner of that fight might meet me later this year in potentially my last ever match.

Pavlik is an aggressive fighter and I think it'd be one that people would relish seeing.

I have no doubts at all that I'd win that one as well.

At my best I don't believe anyone can beat me and after I've taken care of Hopkins - and at his age effectively ended his career - I would certainly be interested in fighting Pavlik.

I don't think Taylor is a particularly attractive option for the promoters anymore.

Finally, just a quick word on Enzo Maccarinelli, being that next week will be the last time I can write about his fight with David Haye on March 8.

Enzo told the Argus this week he's in the best shape of his career and that is undoubtedly true.

He's in fantastic condition and his ability to go 12 rounds - which he's already done with distinction - is why I think he's going to win this fight.

Enzo has the mindset of a champion; he can knock out Haye with either hand and the longer the fight goes I think the less likely it becomes that Haye can win it.

It should be fantastic and I look forward to talking more about this fight next week.