Liam Cameron’s brutal verdict on his own career
Liam Cameron takes on Bradley Rea on Saturday
Liam Cameron has a point to prove to himself and the boxing world on Saturday night.
He will face off against Bradley Rea knowing that a win is essential if he is to do himself justice in a sport that he has sometimes under-performed in.
The Manor, Sheffield, light heavyweight has won 24 fights, lost seven and drawn one.
It is a decent record, but the 35-year-old knows it could have been much better.
"I set out on this journey wanting to become world champion" the former amateur star told The Star.
Back in 2009, he became ABA welterweight king, becoming the first Sheffield boxer to win the title since Henry Hall in 1944.
Later that year, he turned professional at Sheffield City Hall and while he went on to win titles in his up and down career, the elite belts never came his way.
"I had dreams of that - now they have faded, being realistic, especially at my weight (175 lbs) - there are some pure monsters in that division.
"I want to do my best now, knowing I have underachieved. I believe that in my heart."
The Steel City athlete added: "If only I could have been with these people around me a bit sooner."
Cameron, recently signed by Frank Warren to on a three fight extension, sees the fight with Rea at the Co Op Arena Manchester this weekend as a must-win.
As does 28-year-old Rea, who fears falling down the pecking order himself, if fate turns against him.
Cameron admits he will be nervous before the fight, as most sportspeople are before meaningful events.
"A lot of fighters say they never get nervous but they do!" said the Sheffielder.
"My sports psychologist asked me if I would you rather get in a cage with a dog that is happy and friendly or a dog that is scared and protective?
"You're not going to want to touch the second dog!
"I am prepared for this massive fight, my training has got a lot harder recently - it kills me, I bought a heart rate monitor to check I am at maximum."
The WBA rank Liam at number 12, with Artur Beterbiev currently at the top of the division.
"Bradley is a former European champion so a win in this 10-rounder it should get me in the top 10" says Cameron.
"It should be a good contest. When I watch him fight, I think he fights on heart and determination, but that style suits me.
"Brad is relentless and will come forward swinging
"I hope he comes at me like Ben Whittaker did in our first fight, he tried to knock me clean out and it backfired.
"I have prepared for a really hard fight, physically and mentally as well. I picture it that every time he hits me he is going to hurt me, so anything better than that I can handle it."
Rea admits he has a liking for Cameron, although that will be put on hold at the Co Op Arena.
"If I beat Liam it really pushes me back up there where I belong," he told The Ring.
"How can you not like Liam? He's got a great story and a lovely guy but he's in my way and for 10 rounds, I'm going to try and knock him out. It's as simple as that."