Lucas Roehrig had not even boxed as a professional the first time he sparred Ring champion and world No. 1 cruiserweight Jai Opetaia.

And, while the 22-year-old has had the chance to see how good the Australian world champion is up close, it was one particular conversation that has stuck in his mind ever since.

So impressed by their initial work together in London last October, Opetaia invited the west London prospect out to Saudi Arabia for a second spell of sparring.

Once things were wrapped up in the gym, Opetaia and his team invited Roehrig and his manager-trainer George Groves, the former WBA super middleweight champion, out for a day of riding camels, archery and racing sand buggies.

“They just asked what me and George were doing that day,” he recalls. “We didn’t have too many plans so they said we should just jump on the Riyadh experience with them.

“Looking back it was a mad day really. Riding camels, archery, mixing with influencers and all of that. It was all a bit weird and new to me but I loved it. It was good to get a glimpse of all of that and it was amazing.”

But although Opetaia was officially off the clock, Roehrig made sure he took his chance to pick the brains of one of boxing’s most intensely driven characters.

“I just wanted to soak up any advice Jai had for me,” he adds.

“I do remember clearly we had one particularly intense conversation where he told me I’ve got the talent but now it’s just about making sure I’m in the perfect position to change me and my family’s life.

“He said ‘don’t let any of the success or any of the outside noise get to you. Stay focused and just remember there's always someone behind you hungrier that's trying to take your position’.

“For someone in his position to say that just shows how important it is. He’s won world titles and everything but he is still saying that really it comes down to hard work.

“Even though he's the champion, he keeps the same mentality where he's in my position as a prospect, where he hasn't got the belt, where he hasn't made a lot of money. He keeps the same mindset as if he was still in my position with no belt, no money and without that security.”

‘Lights Out’ Roehrig has been keen to apply those principles wherever possible during the first 10 months of his professional career, which is so far five fights and five wins old.

His sixth outing takes place this Saturday at York Hall, Bethnal Green and represents Roehrig’s first fight at the famous old venue as an amateur or a professional. He is yet to put a foot wrong since turning over under the tutelage of Groves and, all being well, will emerge from east London as a 6-0 pro with two months left of his freshman year.

“I’ve had a little injury, a minor niggle in my left hand, so this has been my longest time out of the ring,” says Roehrig, who last boxed in June.

“Hopefully after this one I can get another two fights this year so I’ll be 8-0. I think that would be the perfect start to our pro career. I’ve enjoyed everything, I’ve enjoyed the process and George is a great trainer who has mentored me through all the little bumps that come with it.”

During an interview with The Ring earlier this summer, Groves suggested that his protege is just 12 months away from serious title contention and given the cruiserweight’s age that would be considered a fast-track to the top.

Roehrig is currently part of a crop of young British cruiserweights who look set for a battle to decide who is the best of the lot over the next few years. When asked to assess the rest of the competition in Britain, there is another 22-year-old puncher who he expects to cross paths with.

“He has been a pro for a couple of years more than me,” Roehrig says. “But there is no doubt in my mind that me and Aloys Junior will fight eventually.

“Right now he is gunning for titles but I am not too far behind him. We are the same age, we’re both from London so it’s a fight that will make sense and one that I believe I will win.

“But this game is all about timing and doing things that make sense at the right time. I’ve got a fight on Saturday to look forward to that I’m excited about and I just want to soak everything in.”