Junior Witter is aiming to make up for lost time when he steps into the ring for a "must-win" fight against Colin Lynes on Saturday night.
'The Hitter' will be bidding to win the British welterwight title at the Hillsborough Leisure Centre in Sheffield against an opponent he has already beaten before.
It will be the first time the Bradford-born boxer has stepped between the ropes since last September, a frustrating wait for a man who at 38 knows time is no longer in his corner.
He admits "the politics of boxing" have been one of the reasons for his recent inactivity, making him even more determined to impress.
"September was my last fight, so it's been eight months," he told Sky Sports.
"I look now and think this is my time. I need to strike now and show that I'm active and still here.
"I want to be active for the rest of my career, (I'm just going to keep fighting) until I get beaten up, until I can't do it."
Witter defeated Lynes, who claimed the belt with victory over Lee Purdy, on points in their first meeting at light-welterweight back in 2005, a time when the former was British, Commonwealth and European champion.
This time the Yorkshireman is the challenger and while he has the utmost respect for his compatriot, he's adamant he will be the new champion at the end of the night.
"It's definitely a must-win. I'm thriving on that," he said. "I know I'm going to win.
"I don't mind pressure. He's a good fighter and he took me to points last time, though I didn't think I boxed well then. Now I know I'm going to perform.
"He's good, and he's on a good run at the minute. He's tricky, he doesn't get caught with a lot of shots. He's a savvy fighter, so I'm not underestimating him.
"I like the guy, there's respect there. I respect what he's achieved. But he's in my way.
"He's not going to get that Lonsdale belt unless he moves up to light-middleweight or waits until I've moved on to another belt."
While focused on the job in hand, Witter - a former WBC champion at light-welter, a weight where he fruitlessly chased a showdown with Ricky Hatton for so long - is also planning on what my be further down the road. He knows from experience, however, that things never come easy.
"Paulie Malignaggi is champion now - I'd love that fight. I'd stop him," the Ingle-gym trained fighter added.
"It's probably not going to be made right at this minute, so I just want to concentrate on getting back on top and putting myself in that position again where someone has to fight me.
"I've realised in life that some people get it, and some people don't. I'm one of those that everything I get, I have to work damned hard for."
