Mention of a demanding winter training programme in a former Soviet state sparks memories of Rocky Balboa clutching tree trunks over his head as he wades through five feet of snow in preparation for fighting Ivan Drago in Rocky IV.

Mercifully Scott Forrest’s preparations for returning to the ring tomorrow evening haven’t been quite as rudimentary, with the Edinburgh cruiserweight now based most of the year in Latvia, wife Agnes’ home country.

Putting down semi-permanent roots in Riga has also given the undefeated 30-year-old greater scope for exploring the Baltic nation’s boxing scene. Forrest is now based at a gym in the city with new trainers and plenty of sparring opportunities on tap as he looks to catapult his career towards major titles and silverware.

It has allowed him to enjoy the best of both worlds, spending more time with his young family – he has a three-year-old son and a baby daughter who is just one – but not at the expense of his boxing aspirations.

“I basically live in Latvia now so I’m training there full-time,” he reveals. “I've got a good team over there. I’m all settled in and get to be with my kids a bit more as well.

“It wasn't too tough getting myself sorted because when I was going over there for sparring before, I was building relationships with the coaches and the boxers there anyway. To be honest it's worked out better for me because now I don't need to chase around for sparring like I was doing in the UK. We’ve got two or three guys there for whenever we need them, so it's perfect.

“I like the lifestyle over there. Everything's more outdoorsy and it's not raining all the time and insane winds. I feel like I can actually go outside a lot more here. I mean the winters are freezing cold but it’s not training outside in the snow or anything like that!”

Learning the language has been one of the toughest parts of relocating although Forrest is inspired and motivated by his young children.

“I'm getting there with that, bit by bit,” he adds. “I'm trying to learn along with the kids. So, the more they learn and speak it, the more I can pick up. My boy will say something to me in Latvian and expects me to understand it! So we’re both learning as we go along."

Forrest is back in Britain this weekend, however, and with good reason. After a frustrating 2024 that saw him fight just once back in March, the former Lochend ABC boxer will open the new year by shaking off the rust by taking on Deevorn Miller as part of a stacked True Grit card.

Headlined by Callum Simpson’s British and Commonwealth title clash with Steed Woodall, the event in Sheffield is being broadcast live on Sky Sports. Forrest hopes it can be the start of a productive year for him.

“It’s great to have the chance just to box again after having four potential fights cancelled back-to-back for different reasons. That’s been a bit of a nightmare with things like one opponent failing a drugs test just two weeks before. It's just unfortunate because it’s things that aren't under your control.

“So this is a good one to get going again, a nice televised show and a decent opponent from London. That all makes it better for me but, regardless, the guy is going to get knocked out.

“If this all goes to plan I’m hoping it can be the start of a big year. I want to get at least another three, maybe four fights this year. We're stepping up so this ones an eight rounder. And then hopefully I can get ten rounders moving forward.

“My manager in the UK [Sam Kynoch] is pushing to get me onto shows in Britain. I’ve signed with Sam this year again. He got me on this card and I know he’s always working hard to get me new opportunities.

"And I've also got a guy over in Latvia that I know quite well and he's pushing for things more international and Europe-wise. So I’m pushing on two fronts. If something came up in Latvia I’d fight there too. I’m happy to box anywhere.”

Forrest’s reputation and his 6-0 record can in some ways work against him, with some opponents not willing to get into the ring with such a dangerous prospect.

“People just seem to shy away from a hard fight, which is not great for me. I'm high-risk, low-reward for them in a sense. I'm a tough fight for them because I'm not that highly ranked right now, because I've only had six fights, so they’re not going to get the biggest rewards from fighting me.

“So, this year is just about trying to build up my record. That's why we’re looking throughout Europe and everywhere else. I want to make myself better known and a force to be reckoned with in the cruiserweight division.”