Tyrone Nurse insists the time has now arrived for him to take his career to the next level.
The Huddersfield stylist (34-2-1, 7KOs) makes the third defence of his British super-lightweight title against Joe Hughes in Leicester this weekend, his first fight for new promoter Frank Warren.
It's a big opportunity for Nurse to impress after nine months out and he is already looking onwards and upwards.
"It’ll be very exciting to get back out again. I’m in my 10th year as a pro now but I’ve never really had a promoter behind me before," said Nurse who is trained and managed by his father and ex-pro Chris Aston.
"Hughes is strong and game but I’ll be looking to do a job on him. I want to put a show on for the fans and look classy while I’m about it.
"I had a couple of niggles that needed clearing up so I’ve allowed my body to relax and used the time to regroup. I’ve also had a couple of family holidays.
"But I’m constantly in the gym and I’ve have had plenty of decent sparring. I’ve been able to work on a few things - no drastic changes - just tweaking with working at long, mid and close range and experimenting with angles.
"You’ll see an improved version of Tyrone Nurse on Saturday night."
Although making the third defence of the coveted Lord Lonsdale belt, Nurse will not be allowed to keep it even if he beats Hughes, live on BoxNation/BT Sport.
After winning the vacant title against Welshman Chris Jenkins, he made successful defences against Willie Limond and Tommy Coyle but because they were not mandatory challengers he will not retain the belt.
"I feel I’ve been very unlucky," concedes Nurse. "Chris Jenkins and I were the two leading contenders when we twice fought for the vacant title.
"Then Willie Limond was put on me because he’d voluntarily vacated the title previously and Tommy Coyle was a very credible challenger.
"None of it’s been my doing. When Jack Catterall was my mandatory he withdrew to sort out changes to his training team when next in line, then Ohara Davies opted to fight Derry Mathews for more money.
"I’ve consistently been involved in the most entertaining fights on the bill over the last few years but, for too long, I was considered high risk, low reward.
"It’d be nice to have the belt outright so, while we expect the worst, perhaps the British Board will surprise me on the night and let me take it home!
"I’m now ready to kick on to the European title and hopefully beyond. I’ve seen bits of the EBU champion Anthony Yigit and he’s got some nice moves but he’s very small - I’d jump at that opportunity if offered and I’d be confident. You’ve got to be in this game.
"My best days are definitely still ahead of me. Eventually I’ll fill out and go up to welter. On my best day I’m an absolute box of tricks, more than capable of beating the world champions."
Nurse taking on unbeaten 18-0 Chorley southpaw Catterall is frequently talked about and the British champion is not ruling out the possibility.
"Could it happen this year? Never say never. But because Jack is highly rated with the WBO, we expect that he’ll plod that avenue while I’ll be keeping my hands and feet moving to progress myself," said Nurse.
"Our styles would be an interesting mish-mash for the purists. In time, it’ll develop into a nice big fight, for a nice big belt and a nice big purse. We believe we know how to beat Jack. I’ll have a plan and deliver on the day."
But before that Nurse needs to take care of Wiltshire warrior Hughes this weekend.
"I actually beat Joe in the 2007 Junior ABA semi-finals but that was just a three-round sprint which means very little now," said Nurse.
"Stylewise, I think we’ll gel nicely. Joe’s strong and clearly takes a good shot - Catterall couldn’t shift him - and, as the opportunity is unexpected for him, he’ll no doubt give it 110 per cent.
"But he’s always had this issue with his right hand [which is three inches shorter than his left due to Erb’s palsy] so he’s a bit predictable as a result ... jab-left hook, jab-left hook.
"There’ll be times when I fence him, times when I need to pick shots in close. I never go in with the impression that I’ll score a stoppage, I always prepare for a gruelling 12-rounder but I win because I’m the better fighter in all departments."
