BOMADERRY product Mark Lucas isn't mucking around.
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There's no shortage of those in the fight game who make the same claim, but there's no question the South Coast middleweight meant it.
His two fights since coming out retirement last year speak to that.
He ended a near two-year lay-off with a contested split-decision defeat to a 16-1 Rocky Jerkic February.
He backed that up with 12-round war against former IBF middleweight world champion Sam Soliman in Melbourne eight weeks later, a fight he accepted on three weeks notice.
He lost no fans in either - and earned more than a few new admirers - but it ultimately left him with the first two L's on his record.
No one would have begrudged him making a return to the winner's circle via a tune-up bout but it's simply not his mentality in his second coming as a pro.
That couldn't be clearer as he prepares for his upcoming bout with hard-punching former world title contender Renold Quinlan at the WEC on October 19.
"I've had a had over a 120 fights [amateur and pro], in my last six pro fights I've done over 60 rounds, I don't need to jump in and build my confidence off a four-round shutout," Lucas said.
"There's nothing I get out of that. Boxing's about taking the real fights, fights that are going to make you better as a fighter.
Related content: Lucas taking well-earned break
"You look at the Rocky fight, most people thought I won and that was after 20 months of inactivity. Then I fought Sam Soliman with absolutely no chance of winning on points in Melbourne and he's an absolute legend of the game.
"If you look back at the peak of boxing in the old days no one gives a shit if you have a few losses on your record.
"You get caught up in that when you first turn [pro] because you're worried about other people's opinion but I couldn't give a shit what people say or think anymore.
"I've lived this game for a long time and when I eventually hang them up I can hold my head high and know I did for real."
No one can accuse Quinlan of walking an easy path either. The Dunghutti Destroyer jumped up a division to fight a nine-round thriller with London Olympian Damian Hooper in April last year, ultimately losing by TKO.
He flew to London to fight undefeated Brit Joshua Buatsi last December and went the 10-round distance with undefeated Aussie rising star Mateo Tapia last month.
It makes for a mouth-watering showdown in Wollongong between two fighters who don't duck. It's also a bout that's long been in the offing, with the pair first scheduled to meet in May last year.
Having sparred countless rounds with Quinlan before that, Lucas was confident then, even more so now.
"Ren's always going to be a tough fight but there's nothing he's going to bring that I haven't seen him do already," Lucas said.
"If you look at his fights they're all pretty similar. He's not a guy that's a thinking boxer but he has great reactions, good speed and good power and he's had success with what comes naturally to him.
"Power's only dangerous if you stand in front of it and I've got a chin that can deal with it regardless. I'm really confident that technically and tactically I can do what I need to.
Related content: Lucas takes positives from loss to Rocky Jerkic in return bout
"He's going to be in for a long night and I'm going to come away victorious and open some doors to bigger fights."
The bout will headline the inaugural Convoy Clash, a pro-am card with both boxing and MMA fights raising funds for the annual i98 Illawarra Convoy.
It continues a strong focus on community for promotor Kosta Skrapis (of KS Promotions) having raised thousands of dollars or local mental healthy charity #talk2mebro on previous fight nights.
"Whe we started last year we wanted to provide an avenue for local young and up and coming talent in boxing or mixed martial arts to turn their careers from amateur to professional within the Illawarra as well as focus on giving back to their community," Skrapis said.
"Our intention was to have three fight nights per year, at least one of those big enough for the WEC. We want a strong community support at the event and what better charity to support than the i98FM Illawarra Convoy.
"We have made the tickets affordable for everyone and all profits from the night will be going towards Motocity's Lead Bike Bid."