Over the past few years, the junior welterweight division has been one of the strongest in British boxing but it looks like we may be witnessing a change in the pecking order at 140lbs.

Former undisputed and Ring champion, Josh Taylor, recently stepped up to welterweight and it remains to be seen if his subsequent loss to Ekow Essuman will bring down the curtain on an outstanding career. The Ring's No. 3-ranked junior welterweight, Jack Catterall, will also leave the division - temporarily at least - in July when he fights Harlem Eubank at 147lbs.

Dalton Smith and Adam Azim are the heir apparents but the reshuffling has given some new names the chance to advance their own careers.

British and Commonwealth champion, Jack Rafferty, has shot to prominence over the past year and is chasing a fight with Mark Chamberlain while Dublin’s Pierce O’Leary fights for the vacant European title this Saturday night.

Steven Cairns (11-0, 7 KOs) will be aiming to join the party in the not-too-distant future.

Cairns is from Cork in the Republic of Ireland but trains at Dave Coldwell’s gym in Rotherham, South Yorkshire and the promising 22-year-old will be starting to pay close attention to the exploits of fighters like Rafferty and Chamberlain.

It may seem ambitious to put Cairns in that kind of company given that he has yet to venture beyond six rounds but he is learning extremely quickly.

Actually fighting is just a part of his education. Cairns is beginning to feel the benefits of years of hard work.

“I’m definitely coming into my own,” Cairns told The Ring as he cooled down after sharing six quality rounds of sparring with British welterweight title challenger, Liam Taylor.

“I’m three years into my journey now. I'm 22 years old and I really feel like I'm starting to become a professional because it's totally different from the amateur game.

“You have to learn the tough way. You have to get in there with way more experienced guys and take some shots. Unfortunately in boxing, the best way to learn is by getting punched in the mouth.

“Obviously it's up to Dave [Coldwell] and my team with Queensbury to pick the right fights for me at the right time but you know I've been at this now for a long time.

“I moved away from Ireland when I was 18 years old and moved over here on my own to train under Dave because I knew if I stayed at home I wouldn't get to where I want to be and that's becoming a world champion. I came over here, I've been learning and when the fights come, if it's the right fight for me at the right time, then I'm going to take it.”

On the evidence he has so far provided, it won’t be long until Cairns finds himself in title contention. He is calm and composed but also seems to be blessed with the type of fight-ending power that is so crucial at the highest level of the sport.

Cairns has been able to punch since he was a teenaged amateur and spending time in Coldwell’s gym has only made him more dangerous and well-rounded.

Rather than rushing and looking for a finish, Cairns has realised that that his power allows him the luxury of being able to take his time and create openings.

“I used to hit very hard as an amateur and I used to stop a lot of kids but it's a difference doing it for 12 rounds,” he said.

“You can do it for three rounds. You go in and give it your everything and it's like a sprint but 12 rounds is a marathon so you have to learn how to get yourself through them 12 rounds without expending too much energy and also being able to land big shots. Everything doesn't have to be hard. It’s touch, touch, bang. Touch, touch bang. I’m just learning it and getting good quality rounds in in sparring is a great experience for me.”

Coldwell is one of the most well-regarded trainers in British boxing and has worked with the likes of Tony Bellew and Derek Chisora during his career.

Nowadays, he oversees a more low profile but extremely talented stable. Cairns spends his days working alongside fighters like Dan Toward and Ellis Price who may only be two fights into his professional career but looks like he has the potential to develop into a genuine prospect at lightweight.

The vastly experienced Lerrone Richards also lends an invaluable voice.

“Lerrone was the IBO, British and Commonwealth champion and he's preparing for a big fight so it's good to be in the ring with him,” Cairns said. “He’ll tell you small things, little words of advice that you can’t get from anyone else other than someone who's been in there and done it, doing the 12 rounds so it's good to be around him and just learn from him.”