George Russell: Ronnie O'Sullivan gives verdict on Mercedes debut - 'Is there any point?'

“I’ve met him a couple of times and he is a really nice, down-to-earth guy,” he said.

“The comeback from where he was to where he is now is inspiring and his boxing ability is unquestionable.

“I don’t think there has been a heavyweight like him for a long, long time. He has been great for British sport and global sport.

“He’s a street fighter. He’s like, ‘You want to fight me? Where and what time?’ He comes from the world where the gypsy families kind of get it on.

“He took Deontay Wilder on in that manner. Most people didn’t want to get in the ring with Wilder.