Unbeaten Irishman Jason Quigley boxes on the undercard to Bernard Hopkins' retirement fight this weekend, so he's provided a diary entry...
This is it now, all the hard work and training has been done. It's about staying focused, staying sharp and keeping my weight down. Then I'll be ready to take care of business.
A lot of fighters don't like [fight weeks] because they're making weight but this is what I enjoy. I spend eight-to-10 weeks in training camp working hard, but this is what it's all about. Showing everybody the end product. I'm sharing a big card with great fighters.
Bernard Hopkins has been about for decades. To finish my year, while he finishes his career with a bang, will be sensational.
Every fighter has a chance, this is boxing and one shot can change a fight. I don't take [this weekend's opponent] Jorge Melendez any different to any previous opponent. I will treat this as a world title fight because it gets me one step closer to achieving my goal. I'm on my journey to becoming a world champion so Melendez is just an obstacle, a hurdle, that needs removing. I'll take him out of the equation.
I am definitely going to fight back in Ireland. I'm serving my apprenticeship right now, and learning in America. All this is to bring back big-time boxing to Ireland so I can give back to the fans who have followed me. I want them to be able to just drive a few hours to one of my fights.
Katie Taylor is amazing, she's doing a phenomenal job. Everyone will now see what she's about - she's the most down to earth person you'll ever meet. She's such a genuine person who puts in the hard work - she knows what she wants, and goes out to get it. I wish her the best, and I'd love to share big cards in Ireland with Katie.
At the end of 2017, I want the likes of Gennady Golovkin, Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and Daniel Jacobs - they have the belts now, but a lot can change. My goal is to have the world champions knowing who I am, and having a fear of me. I want them to know I'm on their tails, clipping away at their heels, coming for what they have.