However, the 27-year-old – who will have Roach in his corner when he makes the first defence of his European belt against Dmitry Pirog in Birmingham in April - insists the chance to move to the American’s Wild Card Gym and train alongside the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan in Los Angeles was too good to turn down.

Macklin, who had brief temporary stints at Roach’s gym early in his career, said: “I’ve won the British and European title, I’m knocking on the door for a world title and it’s a realistic thing now.

“It’s no bad reflection on Joe Gallagher because he’s done a great job and I had the best year of my life with him last year but I just want to make sure no stone is left unturned. There is no comparison to the sparring in Freddie’s gym anywhere else in the world.”

Roach said: “I like Matt, he’s a good kid with a lot of ability and plenty of ambition.

“I’ve had some good times working with Irish fighters like Steve Collins, Bernard Dunne and Wayne McCullough in the past so hopefully I can have some success with Matt too.”

Macklin expects to defend his European belt twice – against Pirog and then either former conqueror Jamie Moore or Londoner Darren Barker – before fulfilling his dream of challenging for a world crown.

Opportunities to fight for a major title are proving difficult but Macklin remains hopeful of a shot a the top man in the division, WBC and WBO champion Kelly Pavlik.

“Sebastian Sylvester, the IBF champion, just basically doesn’t want the fight and nor do his people. I’m not number one contender with the IBF so it’s not looking likely. Felix Sturm (WBA champion) is tied up in a legal battle.

“So the most likely one is Kelly Pavlik, which is the one I want anyway. When I come through the Pirog fight and maybe another one, I’m basically the biggest fight out there for him anyway within the middleweight division.”