Nikki Bascome is being schooled by new coach Jeff Mayweather in the art of hitting and not being hit as the Bermudian boxer prepares for a return to the ring this summer.

Bascome has been training under Mayweather, the uncle of Floyd — the undefeated former multiple-weight world champion — at the fabled Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas for the past two months.

He hopes to have a pair of bouts in the United States before returning to Bermuda for a “redemption” fight in November, 12 months after his first defeat against Fábio Costa at the Fairmont Southampton.

“I’m looking to fight in Dallas in July,” Bascome said. “If it’s two fights, it’s two fights. I’m then looking to fight in Bermuda in November. I want to get that victory after my last fight and redeem myself.

“It’s one thing training every day, but there’s nothing better than working towards a fight because you can really lock in. I’m just maintaining myself so when it’s time to really dig deep, I’ll be ready.”

Bascome felt his defensive deficiencies were worryingly exposed during his knockout defeat by Costa, the Portuguese pressure fighter, and needed to change tack.

A period of soul-searching ensued before splitting with his longtime coach, the late Allan “Forty” Rego, and moving to Las Vegas to train under Mayweather, whom he worked with for a short stint three years ago.

With Mayweather revered as a defensive strategist, briefly coaching Floyd, Bascome said teaming up with the former world champion trainer seemed a logical step.

“Defence is his speciality and I’ve been grasping the fundamentals,” said Bascome, who has won seven of his eight bouts.

“I’ve seen an improvement. He drills it in you every day until it’s become a muscle memory. At first, my defence was poor — he kept hitting me when we were doing pads. But now I’m really getting it down.”

Mayweather and the son of Ord Road appear to have gelled quickly, bonding over their love of video games — particularly NBA 2K18 — which they played religiously while living together when the Bermudian first arrived in the resort city.

“Jeff’s a good friend,” Bascome said. “He’s a cool dude and doesn’t treat me any different to anybody else. He’s been showing me around Vegas and let me stay with him until my place was ready. It’s been really cool, but when it’s time to work, it’s serious.”

Bascome believes he has already made significant technical adjustments under Mayweather and is reaping the benefits of training in a professional environment alongside world champions and top prospects.

“I’m seeing the tricks of the trade and different styles; it’s rubbing off on me,” Bascome said. “I’ve sparred with some good fighters, too, some up-and-coming prospects. It’s certainly a different calibre from what I’m used to in Bermuda and Florida [in training camps].

“It’s been an eye-opener and at first it was overwhelming because there are so many professional fighters in the gym. But I soon started buckling down, getting in my zone and just locking in.”

Soon after the knockout defeat by Costa, Bascome became a father, partner Marilyn Cupidore giving birth to a girl, Ryver.

Although it has been a huge sacrifice to temporarily leave his family in pursuit of his boxing dreams, Bascome admits he now wishes he would have left Bermuda sooner.

“I couldn’t just stick around in Bermuda — I had to leave,” Bascome said. “Sometimes I do wish it could have been earlier in my career. I would have been more settled, but I know everything happens for a reason.

“I call every day and talk to [Ryver]. It’s a sacrifice and hopefully I’ll be able to come home for a week after my next fight.”

Bascome has confirmed he will no longer fight at welterweight, with his next bout taking place at super lightweight or at a catchweight of 144 pounds.

“Me and Jeff have talked about it and I’ll be fighting at a catchweight or at 140,” the 27-year-old said.

“I think it will suit my height and build better. I weighed 143½ pounds in my last fight and I think I can make it.”

While Bascome is excited about his boxing future under Mayweather, his former coach Rego, who died from cancer aged 86 in February, is never far from his thoughts.

“The only thing missing is Rego,” he said. “I think about him a lot. When I’m hitting the bag and the speed ball I’m so used to him just staring at me.

“It’s different because Jeff has a lot of fighters other than me. He can’t always be at the bag giving me instructions.”