HADDINGTON’S unbeaten boxing ace Iain Trotter says the attention he has been getting has been “surreal”, as he reflected on his first year as a professional sportsman.

Monday marked a year since the 23-year-old signed professional terms and he has stepped into the ring for six fights so far.

He remains unbeaten, with a points victory over Konstantin Alexandrov last month his final bout of 2017.

The former Knox Academy pupil told Courier Sport how things had changed since he turned professional.

He said: “The big change for me has been the attention I’ve been getting has been surreal – I never thought it would be like this.

“People seem to recognise me and everyone is always talking to me about it – even small things like cars tooting at me while I’m out running.”

And he revealed a “surreal” visit back to his former school hit home how things had changed.

Trotter added: “I was in at Knox giving a talk the other week – it was mental going back there seeing the teachers and kids having an interest in what I was saying.

“It was weird that they even knew me in the first place but it’s all extra motivation for me.”

While he admitted it had not all been plain sailing, Trotter, who is the son of Haddington councillor Tom Trotter, picked out the highlights of his debut professional year.

“The toughest moments were making the transition [from amateur boxing] and pushing my body to a whole new level in camp,” he said.

“It’s hard to point out one highlight as the whole year has been amazing, but I’d say the last [Josh] Taylor show [last month]. Getting to go on right before him in front of thousands of people was mindblowing.

“It was a dream come true.”

The 23-year-old middleweight added: “The whole east coast has been right behind me and it just keeps getting better. It’s an amazing feeling being one of their own from East Lothian and having everyone coming out to cheer me on.

“It’s crazy because I’ve just begun [my career] and I’m just an everyday guy.”

And with a title bout likely early in the New Year, Trotter added: “The only way to learn in this game is the hard way but it’s definitely paying off as I’m improving with every fight.

“There’s plenty more to come, so here’s to 2018 as I start the push for titles.”