Jason Moloney isn't getting caught up in the prospect of another world title shot with the Australian boxer only focused on spoiling the party for popular Japanese product Tenshin Nasukawa.
Former WBO world champion Moloney will take on Nasukawa on Monday night at Tokyo's Ariake Arena, in a fight he's described as "high risk - high reward".
A world No.1-ranked kickboxer before transitioning to boxing, Nasukawa hit the headlines back in 2019 when in his first fight he squared off in an money-spinning exhibition against retired five-weight world champion Floyd Mayweather.
The American knocked him down three times before Nasukawa's corner threw in the towel after two minutes and 20 seconds.
The 26-year-old has since had five professional fights and proved his worth to rise to world No.2 in the WBA bantamweight rankings and third in the WBC and WBO.
Moloney's best is No.5 in the WBC and IBF standings so he's aware that a victory over Nasukawa will move him another step closer to another shot at a strap.
But the 32-year-old says he can't afford to look beyond his current rival, who boasts 1.1 million Instagram followers.
"I'm not even looking at the next step," Moloney told Next Vision Boxing.
"I'm just thinking about beating Tenshin because I know how much is on the line - it's make or break.
"I'm very confident that a win here will get me another world title shot, but first things first is just take care of business on Monday night.
"He obviously had a huge successful career as a kickboxer and an MMA fighter, he's 44-0 as a kickboxer and 5-0 as an MMA fighter and now 5-0 as a professional boxer.
"They obviously think he's the real deal and they're trying to move him fast, but I'm here to spoil the party."
Moloney (27-3) hasn't fought since losing his WBO belt to Yoshiki Takei in front of 55,000 fans at the Tokyo Dome last May.
After a slow start he had Takei laid out on the ropes in the final round but was unable to land the knockout blow.
The Victorian, who is based in northern NSW, said he was better prepared for another southpaw.
"It's obviously really disappointing to lose my world title here last time out - it's my second chance to come back here and get it right this time.
"I learnt a lot from that last fight and I know where I went wrong and I know what I did well, so just jumped straight back in the gym and used it as fire and I'm just so motivated for this one.
"There's a lot on the line but I've put in a great preparation and couldn't be in a better space physically and mentally.
"I really feel like I've got it right this time and feeling so much more confident and in so much better form leading into this one."
