A relieved and elated Tim Tszyu has laid bare the toll his pursuit of boxing greatness has taken after resurrecting his career with a dominant homecoming victory in Sydney.
A defiant Tszyu promised to continue "shooting for the stars" and chasing US mega-fights over ho-hum domestic bouts after winning all 10 rounds in a unanimous points decision over American Anthony Velazquez.
But not before putting the critics in their place on Wednesday night after losing three world title fights in 16 tumultuous months entering his boom-or-bust showdown with the previously undefeated Velazquez. "It means a lot, man," Tszyu said after notching his 26th win from 29 pro fights.
"A couple of days ago, same old questions: 'Are you going to retire after this fight if you lose? Blah, blah, blah, blah'.
"But, no. I'm f***ing back, guys. I'm f***ing back, all right?"
Despite suffering twin losses stateside to US 'Towering Inferno' Sebastian Fundora, either side of a brutal beat-down at the hands of Russian hitman Bakhram Murtazaliev in Florida, the 31-year-old said he would jump at any opportunity to redeem himself in America.
"You know me, I've always shot for the stars and no matter what," Tszyu said, believing he has learnt from past defeats borne from reckless, gung-ho tactics.
"I still want to get back to where I want to be with the big boys.
"I feel like in boxing you can't really make too many mistakes and you can't keep making them.
"You have to find a solution and then work on it.
"I've dedicated my whole life to this sport, man. You guys just see just glimpses, just where I am.
"But I miss a lot of family moments - weddings, I miss different events, different things that are supposed to happen in your life.
"But, I don't know, I'm just solely dedicated on this boxing career. I'll put everything else aside and just focus on this and some people see it, some people don't.
"A lot of people don't see it.
"But this is what it takes. With an obsessive mindset and with a relentless drive, this is what it takes to get back to the top."
A self-styled throwback warrior, Tszyu is already talking about a showdown with WBO light-middleweight champion Xander Zayas as early as next March.
"Give me now. Let's go. I've just beat one Puerto Rican. Let's go for the main Puerto Rican.
"If they can organise the NRL in Vegas thing, I'm down. I've got the belief.
"But one step at a time. It's a long road. You never know where we can go.
"But buckle in and enjoy the ride."
Tszyu's unflinchingly loyal promoters say if Zayas is who their charge wants next, that is who they will try to get.
"Look, if it's the right fight at the right time, then we do it," said No Limit Boxing boss George Rose.
"I think, along with the rest of the country and the rest of the team, we just wanted to get Tim back in the ring, and we did that, and we saw where he's at, what he's got.
"And I think he's ready for anyone at any time. I've always got a 100 per cent belief in Tim and the team and, if that's the fight that that he wants, then that's the fight that we'll work towards.
"That's one thing that we always do, is whatever he wants. We make it happen.
"So he shoots for the stars and we take him straight to the stars."
