Charlie Edwards is preparing to take on dangerous Sikho Nqothole in an IBF super-flyweight final eliminator in London on Friday.
Having become WBC flyweight world champion back in 2018, Edwards never relinquished his title in the ring as he chose to vacate the belt in October 2019 to move up in weight.
After losing for the second time in his professional career last year against Andrew Cain, he bounced back with a win over Salvador Juarez, setting up a showdown against Nqothole on Friday.
On the prospect of becoming a champion once again, the 33-year-old told Your Site: "It would mean the world to me, probably even more so than the first time around because they say it's hard to get to the top of the mountain once but trust me, it's even harder to get there twice.
"I've had to claw my way step by step up a very, very long staircase to get back to this point. It's been tough to be pushed aside, disregarded and disrespected.
"So, for me, this would probably mean even more than the first time round. It would mean the world to me and my family. I've worked very, very hard. I can pat myself on the back for staying consistent, not giving in and having the faith to get back here."
Despite now living in Portugal with his wife and daughter, Edwards still trains out of the UK with ex-fighter Stephen Smith.
The Brit has worked with some renowned trainers before in Grant Smith and Joe Gallagher, but the former world champion reserves special praise for his latest mentor.
"Training has gone great. It's been the best camp we've had together so far. This camp we've really focused on worrying about myself, training myself and pushing myself to be the best Charlie Edwards rather than worrying about opponents too much," he said.
"I took a chance with Stephen because I was his first big main championship fighter. But I had full belief that he'd deliver what he has done up to this point and we're just getting better.
"I haven't been obsessing over my opponent like I have done in previous fights. I feel like I've shown my previous opponents too much respect and I've learnt how good I am. I know how good I am now.
"We've just continued to keep progressing myself. I'm firing on all cylinders and I'm ready to put on a career best performance."
Nqothole isn't a household name, but he is experienced and with 13 knockouts in 21 wins, his record does suggest he carries power.
Despite the South African having suffered three losses in the pro game, Edwards is refusing to get complacent.
"He's a good fighter. I think anyone in the top 10 is a good fighter. He's a bit taller than me, got long arms, hits hard but then everyone at world level hits hard," he said.
"I've only got seven knockouts, but I hit hard and get respect from my opponents. He's going to offer me challenges in there and I do believe our styles will gel well together. I really believe he suits me down to the ground. I believe there will be a career best performance from me."
Willibaldo Garcia Perez is scheduled to defend his IBF super-flyweight world title against Andrew Moloney in Aichi, Japan on June 6.
Should Edwards emerge triumphant on Friday, he'd like to fight the winner and is adamant he will not step aside for anyone.
"We're going down the IBF route, that's where we're going to push for the fight. I know Bam Rodriguez is saying that he's going to come back down but he's up at bantamweight fighting for a WBA world title and they are talking about Naoya Inoue as well," he said.
"My main goal is to get through Sikho and then get my manager straight onto the IBF. The mandatory challenger and champion must agree the fight within 90 days. No matter how much step aside money Eddie Hearn will try and pay if they are trying to come down, I will not be taking it. I want the world title, and I believe that anyone in the super-flyweight division I can beat."
Edwards, who has ADHD, dyslexia and mild autism, has been open in sharing his mental health struggles in the past.
Having won his first world title at 25, he now believes at 33 he's better placed to handle the pressures of being on top of the world.
"I feel very mature now. I'm a veteran to this game. I've been at the top for a very long time, and I've learnt a lot from my past experiences throughout my career," he explained.
"I'm four years sober now. That was the best decision I ever made in my life, completely changed my life. When I was world champion, the pressures of being the world champion were very real.
"I've grown into a man. I was 25 when I was world champion, people forget that I was very young. I went through a lot of bad cycles but ones that I'm grateful for because they're the ones that have taught me the most valuable lessons.
"I'm a man with experience now and I understand the game. I'm not naïve anymore and it's just business. I'm in a good place where I'm very fresh and I'm ready to go into my peak and prime years in the best possible way."
