Trevor Thirlwall, 28, spent his spare moments shadow boxing and sparring and was caught on CCTV throwing air punches before an alleged brawl with Terry and two other footballers, Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court heard.

Mr Thirlwall claims Mr Terry, 23, his Chelsea team-mate Jody Morris, 21, and Wimbledon player Des Byrne, 21, became violent when he asked them to leave the Wellington nightclub in Knightsbridge, central London.

But Simon Pentol, defending Mr Byrne, said that Mr Thirlwall liked nothing more than using his fists.

You are the kind of man who in spare moments spars and shadow boxes, moving your fists around, bobbing and weaving, it's what you love to do

Defence solicitor Simon Pentol

The same applied to his brother, professional boxer Matthew Thirlwall and club doorman Shaun Brice, who were both also in the club's reception area, Mr Pentol said. Mr Thirlwall denied the claims.

The doorman claimed the mood of the three players had changed suddenly when they were asked to leave.

Mr Thirlwall said: "I had pleaded with them peaceably, justifying why I was asking them to leave and that was when their mood changed and they became violent."

John Terry denies hitting a doorman

Mr Thirlwall said it had been a long time since he had been required to use his fists and his brother only used his fists when boxing.

He denied Mr Pentol's assertion that using his fists was part of his normal way of life.

Mr Pentol said: "It's in your blood. You are the kind of man who in spare moments spars and shadow boxes, moving your fists around, bobbing and weaving, it's what you love to do.

"You, Mr Brice and your brother like nothing more than using your fists."

Mr Thirlwall said: "That's not the truth at all - there is one thing shadow boxing and another thing to actually strike a person."

Charges denied

He claims his left eye "exploded in blood" when Mr Terry hit him with a bottle after he and Mr Brice ushered the three footballers from the club in the early hours of 4 January.

Mr Terry denies wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing a glass bottle as an offensive weapon.

Mr Byrne also denies possessing a glass bottle as an offensive weapon and all three players deny affray.

The trial was adjourned until Friday.