Denton Vassell hopes Frankie Gavin will grant him a rematch if he wins his British welterweight title eliminator.
The former Commonwealth champion will end a 14-month absence from the ring when he faces Sam Eggington in Manchester on September 13, live on Sky Sports.
Vassell was forced to take a break from the sport after suffering a broken jaw in his last fight, a seventh-round stoppage defeat against Gavin.
The 29-year-old had previously racked up 20-straight wins before his first professional loss and remains confident that he can still compete for titles.
“It's my opportunity to show the fans that I am still here,” said Vassell, who defeated Lee Purdy to claim the Commonwealth crown in 2010.
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“I'm hungrier than ever and I'm very confident. I had a little injury but even when the doctor told me to stop I wanted to carry on and that's the fighter in me coming through.
“Obviously the doctor has to do his job, but I am confident that I would've gone on to win the fight. I was a bit behind on points probably but I would have caught up to him.
“I've had to take the time to let the jaw heal. You are going to get caught in sparring so it had to be 110 per cent right so that I could get back training at full pelt.
"As soon as I left the hospital though I was back doing ten mile runs and it's made me hungrier. Being a champion is about bouncing back from defeats.”
Gavin himself suffered a first defeat last month, losing a close decision against European champion Leonard Bundu.
Another fight against the Italian is top of the Birmingham man’s agenda, although Vassell wants to work towards a second shot at his old rival if he gets past Eggington.
“I hope Frankie can bounce back from his loss to Leonard Bundu; I would love the rematch. I am confident that I would beat him, but first things first, I have to concentrate on Sam,” he said.
“Sam comes to fight and he's a tough lad, that's something that I need. It's a big fight in my back garden and it's an exciting fight for the fans too.
"I live in the gym and I am really confident. I've been working on new things so let's see what happens on September 13.”
Vassell’s comeback clash is on the undercard of Scott Quigg’s WBA title defence against Stephane Jamoye at the Phones 4u Arena.
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