Bruce’s trainer, former world title challenger Rendall Munroe, gained a cult following in Leicester as he balanced boxing with his day job as a binman.
Having fallen out of love with the sport, Monroe got his licence after being personally asked to coach.
Starting at 15, Monroe turned professional seven years later, managing to challenge Toshiaki Nishioka for the WBC super bantamweight title in 2010, before walking away from the sport for good at 32 after his fight with Josh Warrington in 2014.
“Me and Rendall have built such a bond over the years now, together we can pull through anything,” Bruce said.
“I told him that he’s changed my life after the fight and I meant every word of it.”
It was only after Munroe dropped Bruce with a body shot in sparring that the veteran trainer saw his talent up close.
“After the spar he said win, lose or draw, you’re good enough to turn pro,” Bruce said.
The British champion also trains with Munroe’s old strength and conditioning coach.
Munroe held European, Commonwealth and English titles – his protege has now claimed one of the only belts he never won.
He added: “I did tell him he could become a bit of a star in boxing. It was like seeing a younger version of myself.
“75% of this game is about mindset, and Sean was waking up early and finishing training late way before turning pro, so I thought if this is how far he’s willing to go on the unlicensed scene then what’s he going be like when he goes pro?”