Lewis Crocker is ready to make up for lost time as he prepares for his eagerly anticipated ring return this weekend.
The Belfast welterweight will make his comeback against hard-hitting Joel Julio at Glasgow Boxing Academy on Friday night.
Crocker hasn't fought since November 2021, with a combination of bad luck and injury stalling his surge towards more title glory.
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The 26-year-old - who won the WBO European welterweight title in 2020 and has defended it twice - has now linked up with Billy Nelson after previously trained with Michael Conlan's coach, Adam Booth.
And as he prepares for his first fight in 17 months, Crocker says victory is all that counts against 38-year-old Colombian Julio.
"I don't feel as if I need to make any statement on Friday night. I just need to get in there and win, simple as that," Crocker told Belfast Live.
"I have been out for 17 months or so, so I don't feel any pressure to go in and blast my opponent out of there. I just need to get the win and then push for the big fights in the summer.
"I know people will be interested in my fight this weekend, because I have been away for so long. But I have just moved camps and stuff, so it might take me one or two fights to hit my potential and get the ball rolling again.
"That's why it is important for me just to win this Friday night, and then maybe target an eight-rounder next month in Belfast. And after that we will look at titles."
Crocker is determined to stay active in 2023, and is targeting "four or five" fights during the calendar year.
He hopes victory on Friday night will tee up a quick reappearance, on the undercard of Michael Conlan's huge world title fight with Luis Alberto Lopez in Belfast on May 27.
"I just want to get this fight out of the way and get the win, and then it will be next month's Belfast show. That's what is being planned," Crocker said.
"It will be great to be on that card in Belfast with Michael Conlan fighting for a world title. And then after that I want some big fights in the summer."
He added: "I just want to stay active and get fighting again. My only focus is fighting and getting back into that routine again.
"We had coronavirus>Covid which derailed things a bit, and things have been stop-start for a while now. I had fights lined up but they fell through for different reasons.
"Now I am back I want four or five fights this year, and some big ones in the second half of the year.
"I could fight this weekend, May and possibly June. People probably think I'm mad but I am ripping to get back.
"I would love to get a title fight in Belfast. If Mick wins his world title, which I think he will, then that could tee up another massive night in Belfast."
Crocker never got the opportunity to fight under Adam Booth, after previously being mentored by Dee Walsh and Ray Ginley.
It has been a frustrating period for the explosive Belfast boxer, who stopped his first six opponents after turning professional in 2017.
Now he has linked up with experienced coach Nelson in Scotland, and he can't wait to start showcasing his talents inside the ring once again.
"I had been talking to Jamie (Conlan) about various things, the Billy's name came up. It just suits me better and I have everything I need here," he said.
"It has been going really well so far, and I have two or three fights lined up in quick succession.
"I had been with Adam Booth but then a couple of fights fell through. Adam is a great coach and I learned a lot.
"But things just fitted a bit better here in Scotland and now I can't wait to get back.
"Billy and I are just gelling and getting a few new things sorted. I have got good sparring here which has been good.
"That was one of the main reasons I had to move away from Belfast. I have had some good workouts here.
"I just want to put in some good performances and show what I can do."
Friday night's opponent Julio has 39 wins as a professional, with 33 of those victories coming by way of knockout.
The veteran Colombian carries power, but Crocker isn't fazed.
"He has a good record, with 39 wins and 33 knockouts. So he can punch.
"But so can I so it doesn't matter."
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