Lewis Crocker strutted into the biggest night of his life with a chip on his shoulder.
For six months, he had stewed on his first encounter with Paddy Donovan. Amid the brouhaha that followed a wild night inside Belfast's SSE Arena, it was easy to forget that Crocker had won.
Only it didn't feel like it. Sub-par on the night, Crocker was outfought by the all-action Limerick southpaw, but still left with a 'W' next to his name after Donovan was disqualified for landing a blow after the bell at the end of the eighth round.
When the inevitable rematch was confirmed, Donovan was installed as the favourite. It did not escape Crocker's notice.
And so, within seconds of becoming Belfast's latest world champion via a split decision win at a raucous Windsor Park on Saturday night, Crocker was keen to get his point across when a DAZN microphone was thrust under his chin.
"Nobody gave me a chance in this fight, nobody," said the new IBF welterweight champion.
"But I want to say all the people who gave me stick after the last fight, when you write your post tomorrow make sure you write 'Lewis Crocker world champion!'"
Later, in the calmer surroundings of his post-fight press conference, Crocker added: "Paddy's a great fighter. I saw articles in the build-up saying he could be the greatest Irish fighter of all time.
"That's how much people were building this guy up, and nobody was giving me a chance, so it was good to prove people wrong."