Sam Maxwell is looking to land a knockout blow on the rest of the world as he bids for revenge against two-time Olympic champion Vasyl Lomachenko.
Maxwell is one of five British Lionhearts fighters set to tackle the Ukraine Otamans at York Hall in London, with their passage into the World Series of Boxing quarter-finals already safe.
But, despite having a final-eight spot secure, there is still plenty for Maxwell and his teammates to play for, and in the case of the Liverpudlian that would be pride.
The 21-year-old squared up against Lomachenko, who won featherweight gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 before repeating the feat in the lightweight category at London, last month and lost on points.
But Maxwell is hoping it is second-time lucky in their lightweight bout as he admits he afforded the double Olympic champion too much respect first time out.
“I boxed Lomachenko last month and I held my own for the first three rounds and then his experience and quality got to me in the last two, but I just think I can build on what I did well,” said Maxwell.
“We’re in London, if I have a few good rounds in me, I could take the fight, I could shock the world. I’ve got to not let him dictate the fight as much as he did before.
“He fights smart and throws a lot of feints to control the pace of the fight so he’s only working when he wants to and having a rest when he wants to.
“I want to try and out him under pressure and make him change his game plan.”
Britain are competing in the World Series of Boxing for the first time this season looking to build on the success they had at London 2012 – topping the medal table with five medals, three of which were gold.
Maxwell narrowly missed out on selection for London 2012 to Josh Taylor, who was knocked out in the round of 16, and he insists he is not about to let lightning strike twice for Rio 2016.
“My plans are definitely to do the Commonwealth Games and stick around and make sure I’m still number one for the Rio Olympics,” he added.
“But that also means I want to be doing World Series of Boxing next year as well so it’s good to get this experience in.
“I’m really enjoying it and I look forward to each fight and learning a lot as I go along. I am getting fitter and stronger and I feel good.”
© Sportsbeat 2013