Light welterweight Francie Barrett believes his showdown with Oscar Hall at the York Hall in London could prove pivotal to his hopes of a resurrecting a professional career.
The 26-year-old Irish fighter, who shot to fame at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, counts current WBU light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton among his scalps from his amateur days.
Barrett knows Thursday night's 10-round encounter with Hall will be all about underlining his credentials on the professional stage.
Barrett said: "This will be the start of big things for me. I've had a bit of an up-and-down year but overall I am happy with it, I've achieved a lot.
"It all kicked off winning my first professional title by beating Jon Honney for the Southern Area crown but whilst I then lost to Silence Saheed, it was on an unfortunate cut and by winning next time out I proved I have it in me to bounce back when required.
"And by beating Oscar Hall I will truly end the year on a high."
But Barrett insisted he would not be taking the threat of former ABA champion Hall lightly and confessed: "I'm reckoning on Oscar taking me a few, hard rounds. It's is going to be a good, old-fashioned fight.
"Oscar has undoubted credentials and up until last time out he was unbeaten in 24. His defeat to Gary Reid came as a bit of shock, and is a good indication in my favour because I beat Reid comfortably in 2001, but you can't read too much into that.
"Everyone can get caught cold or have an off day and we all know Oscar is better than that, a class operator. But I am even classier.
"One of my major motivations is to repay the faith my supporters have always shown in me. Back home in Ireland they all got behind me when I carried out the Tricolour at the Atlanta Olympics and that's followed through to my professional days.
"Many of them travel over when they can and you always see a big contingent of Celtic fans at my fights."