Stephen 'Swifty' Smith claims he has what it takes to dethrone super-featherweight champions ahead of facing Devis Boschiero on Saturday.
The 30-year-old (22-1-KO12) is determined to establish himself as a leading light in the division but must first negotiate a path past the dangerous Boschiero (37-3-1-KO19) in an IBF eliminator in Liverpool - live on Sky Sports.
Smith told Sky Sports: "Jose Pedraza is the man we're targeting because he's IBF champion. I think he's a good fighter and a good world champion. I wouldn't want it given to me because I think you should have to go out and beat someone of that level.
"They're all good champions at super-featherweight. I'd take on any of them. It's a well-matched division. I think Takashi Uchiyama is probably the number one because he looks a big puncher but Pedraza is as good as any of them.
"I'd fancy my chance going in with any of them and it would mean so much to Liverpool. It would be massive because it's such a boxing city. There aren't many people here who haven't tried boxing. We've craved a world champion for a long time - it's been quite a while.
"I'm really confident. I'm in great shape and have trained well. I've no excuses and I'm very confident I'll come out on top. Me and Joe Gallagher have been working on certain shots which we believe will come off on the night and play in to my hands.
"Boschiero was unlucky not to win the world title. I thought he deserved it, having watched it. He's been operating at a good level for many years so I know I'll have to be at my best to win but that's exactly what I plan on doing."
Smith is, of course, one of four boxing brothers. With the eldest Paul having fought for three world titles consecutively, Liam preparing for a world title shot and Callum rising rapidly, Stephen is desperate to serve up a reminder of his potential.
He added: "When us brothers go through a fight, we go through it together so I hope all three of them go as far as they can. I wish nothing but the best for them.
"We all want each other to win one so it doesn't matter who's first as long as it's not the last. We want to win a few world titles in the family if we can. If we can, it would be unbelievable. We always back each other and we want to keep moving forward as a family.
"In terms of myself, there have been times when I thought it was going to happen and it hasn't. I've had a bit of bad luck with injuries so I'm grateful that I'm in the position where I can go out and try and win a world title. The ball's in my court."