Welshman Joe Calzaghe heads into his 19th world title defence tonight admitting injuries almost cost him his status as one of the finest British fighters in history.
Calzaghe has been plagued by hand problems throughout his stellar reign, which began in 1997 and continues when he puts his WBO and IBF super-middleweight titles on the line against Sakio Bika in Manchester.
And while the 34-year-old never felt ready to walk away, he knows injury-enforced defeats would have forced him to face up to the fact he would never be able to fulfil his lofty ambitions.
Calzaghe said: 'I never thought I was going to jack it in because I have nothing else to do but box. But obviously, if I got beaten because of a bad hand, I would not be doing myself justice.
'But in those fights where I have broken my hand against Robin Reid and Evans Ashira, I have found a way to win, and I am proud of those wins as I am of some of my better performances.'
Calzaghe's devotion to his craft paid off in March when he finally produced the performance he had been threatening and destroyed unbeaten American Jeff Lacy over 12 ridiculously one-sided rounds.
That win elevated Calzaghe to superstar status not only on these shores but also over the Atlantic, where a considerable audience will also tune in to view his latest title defence.
But Calzaghe will be taking nothing for granted against Bika, whose best performance came over four competitive rounds against reigning WBC champion Markus Beyer before the bout was declared a draw.
Calzaghe said: 'I am a proud fighter and winner. I remember crying my eyes out after every single one of those amateur defeats and I still hate the idea of losing.
'I have so many goals left to achieve in this sport but I know in boxing you are only as good as your last fight, so everything can change if I do not take this fight as seriously as all the rest.'
Calzaghe has lost none of his focus as the years have ticked by and has the incentive of equalling Bernard Hopkins' record of 19 successful defences if he overcomes Bika.
Then he will target the all-time mark held by the great Joe Louis of 25 defences, although Calzaghe admitted: 'He is such a legend I would not want to beat his record - I would share it.
'I have too much to lose by not focusing. I just hope I go in there and hit the guy clean and come out without getting injured because I want to keep busy next year and I need to keep the momentum going.'
Bika, who boasts a record of 20 wins and two draws against one early loss, will certainly come to fight and ought to play his part in another night of fireworks involving Calzaghe.
But, injuries permitting, the Welshman should underline his status as one of the modern greats of the game by overwhelming his brave opponent amongst the middle rounds.
