Ryan Walsh, Britain's longest reigning active boxing champion, makes a sixth defence of his British featherweight title on Friday, and is hoping his patience and longevity will soon be rewarded.
Walsh faces Lewis Paulin at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, in a show that is available to stream live on ESPN+ in the U.S. Walsh -- ranked No. 7 with the WBO world governing body -- has not given up on the chance of a first world title shot.
But Walsh (23-2-2, 11 KOs), must get past the undefeated Paulin (12-0, 3 KOs), from Edinburgh in Scotland, to stay in the hunt for bigger titles.
"My experience is my biggest asset," Walsh, 33, said this week.
"I've become very attached to this British title and I don't intend on giving it up."
Walsh first fought for the British title six years ago when he was outpointed by future world champion Lee Selby.
But the Norfolk native recovered to beat Samir Mouneimne for the vacant belt in 2015 and has since made five defences, although last year he only held on to the title with a draw against Isaac Lowe and a split decision over Reece Bellotti.
A rematch with Lowe and a fight against Jordan Gill failed to materialise, so Walsh was left to face Paulin, 28, who has an unblemished record but has not yet mixed in the same class as his English opponent. What is also a concern for Paulin's supporters is that he will have been out of the ring for 13 months by the time he challenges for the British belt.
Walsh, who was beaten on points by Dennis Ceylan for the European title in 2016, made history when he and his twin brother Liam both held British titles -- in different weight classes -- at the same time. Liam was stopped by American Gervonta Davis for the IBF world super-bantamweight title two years ago, and Ryan's older brother Michael was also a professional boxer.
Walsh admits he knows little about his challenger, but is expected to extend his reign and reach a significant milestone.
Victory for Walsh will see him equal the number of British featherweight title defences set by Welshman Howard Winstone (1961-1966) and England's Ronnie Clayton (1947-1954).
Also on the same bill, English super-lightweight Ohara Davies (18-2, 14 KOs) faces former world champion Miguel Vazquez (41-7, 15 KOs) in a pivotal fight in his career.
Davies, from London, cannot afford another setback after losses to domestic rivals Josh Taylor -- now IBF world champion -- in 2017 and Jack Catterall last October.
Mexican Vazquez, 32, has lost two of his last four fights, one of which was also by stoppage to Scotland's Taylor in 2017.
Vazquez was a good world champion, reigning as IBF titleholder from 2010 to 2014 and making six defences, but Davies is expected to triumph in the east end of London -- not far from his home in Hackney.