For most people a lad’s holiday to Las Vegas would largely involve sunshine, alcohol and gambling. Ex-Finchley Boxing Club member David Abraham’s trip to ‘Sin City’ was a little different. It was a holiday which helped change his life.

“That trip was meant to be like any other lad’s holiday,” Abraham explains. “I enjoyed going out and having a drink with my mates so was looking forward to it.

“But on August 29 last year God came into my life. I was feeling down on myself and wasn’t happy. I remember I was driving and then I felt this presence that I can’t really explain.

“From then I started going to church again with my parents. I rediscovered my faith but kept it quiet for a while.

“I told my friends that whilst we were in Vegas I would be training and working out. They didn’t understand at first but it was something I wanted to do.”

So after arriving in the USA the Watford boxer hit the gym. And after less than a week the 29-year-old heavyweight made a decision that would see him quit his job as a lifeguard at Watford Leisure Centre and sign a three-year professional boxing contract.

“I made the choice to go to the Mayweather Boxing Club,” he says. “So I went there, trained and loved it.

“At the same time WBC heavyweight champion of the world Bermane Stiverne was also training.

“I went and had a chat with him and his people. I ended up sparring with Bermane and it was an incredible experience.

“I managed to hold my own and they then asked me if I could stay out there another week to spar with Bermane at their expense.

“It was incredible. The coaches said I should turn professional when I went home. That is exactly what I did.”

Twenty-four days after the former Westfield School pupil arrived back in England he signed his deal with Goodwin Promotions.

Abraham, who started boxing at the age of 13, admits there was interest from another English promoter but says he had no hesitation in signing with Steve Goodwin.

“I like what Steve represents,” Abraham explains. “He has steadily grown his business and I like his outlook on things. It wasn’t a slight on anyone else, I just knew who I wanted to sign with.”

Abraham is now focused on his professional debut next month. He takes on Moses Matovu in a four-round contest on March 21.

He is feeling confident but, after watching Stiverne lose his WBC world title to Deontay Wilder last month, is taking nothing for granted.

“I went over to Vegas for the world title fight. It was surreal at times. I was backstage walking around and talking to people like Don King.

“But the fight itself was difficult to watch. Bermane lost and I felt terrible. That is a feeling I don’t want my family and friends to feel. So I am making sure I am in the best shape and as prepared as I can be for my debut fight.”

Abraham won’t be thrown in at the deep end, however. He is an experienced amateur fighter and spent several years training and boxing for Finchley Amateur Boxing Club.

It is there he met another Watford heavyweight. One who has since clinched an Olympic gold medal and has been tipped to become a future world champion. That man is, of course, Anthony Joshua.

“Anthony is a great guy,” Abraham says. “He would talk to me and encourage me when I wasn’t feeling great. I saw him a couple of weeks ago but he is busy with his career and I am now busy with mine.

“We are both heavyweights but he is at another level at the moment. He definitely deserves his success.

“I really like it down at Finchley and I still go down there to train every now and then. There is a lot of talent there.”

And there is clearly talent in previous ABA finalist Abraham. But whether or not the former lifeguard will sink or swim as a professional boxer will be answered in the coming months, starting at York Hall on March 21.