Retired defender Bassong is in training for a charity bout at the Grosvenor House hotel in London next month.

The ex-Tottenham and Newcastle centre-back, who spent five years at Carrow Road, is due to fight former Arsenal defender Armand Traore as part of the Pro Project promotions bill, which brings together former sports stars to raise awareness and money for charity.

“I’ve always been a fighter. Everything I’ve achieved, I’ve had to work for,” said the 40-year-old.

“Boxing is an elite sport, ‘hit and don’t get hit’, and I wanted to prove to myself that I’m a champion and an athlete.

“It ties back into everything I teach. Being a champion is a mindset. The transition to boxing is a perfect example of what I do, it’s about how I function and think, regardless of my niggles and injuries. It’s going to be interesting. I’ve been boxing for a while, but this is different, a fight night, a big event, with plenty of nerves. I can’t wait for it to get started.

“It’s going to be a North London derby against Armand Traore, ex-Arsenal player. I feel sorry for him.

“My interest in boxing comes down to my physical condition, I’ve had one hip replacement and I’m going to have another. My work as a behavioural expert and performance strategist goes hand-in-hand with this, my body craves high-intensity sports, and boxing is an art.”

Bassong moved to Carrow Road from Spurs for a reported £4m in 2012 and in his debut season helped City finish mid-table in the Premier League under Chris Hughton.

Later in his Norwich career Alex Neil brought him back in from the cold to form a partnership with Russell Martin that saw City seal a top-flight return via the play-offs at Wembley in 2015.

Leroy Fer was a big money signing at Norwich City that did not come off (Image: PA)

Bassong also formed a close bond with the likes of Nathan Redmond and Leroy Fer during his spell in green and yellow.

“Leroy was such a quality player. I loved playing with him because he had so many abilities and he was creative, but I think he never really understood how to get the best out of himself,” said Bassong. “He should have done better in terms of consistency.

“That’s what was lacking for Leroy. But we had such a great time, and it was good to see the difference because when Norwich went to get Leroy, you could see that the club was aiming to reinforce the team with real, pure quality.

“But as you know, when you come from a different league as a foreigner, it either works straight away or sometimes it takes a bit of a toll to get going.

“Leroy was up and down, but when he was at it, it was a pleasure to play with him. Nathan Redmond, we had so many good memories with Redders as well. He was one of my brothers there.”

Bassong still keeps tabs on his old club, and despite a testing Championship start believes they are in safe hands with Philippe Clement.

“Promotion has to be the target. Norwich has to be competing for promotion every single year in the Championship. I think that’s what they should aim for,” he said.

“I like Philippe Clement’s style because I’ve known him since before he came to the UK, and I’ve always liked his approach.

“Is he going to be able to bring and impose the difference that Norwich needs to get back in the Premier League? Hopefully.

“He needs a rounded understanding of how English football works. With the board at Norwich, there is a new direction (from my time), and they’ve taken a turn where they’ve invested a bit differently and can give the manager not just what he wants, but the understanding what he needs.

“It’s all about how the information goes from the top down. If he can get that I think he’ll be able to do what he wants to do and reflect it on the players. That’s the main thing, it has to flow.

“If his message can really get into the players’ heads I think Norwich are going to be, not easily, but right up there in contention for promotion.”

Bassong was speaking in association with Premier Bet