A PROMISE kept and a dream realised, Curtis Woodhouse will return to the boxing ring tonight with the shackles of pressure released.
The Lonsdale Belt held aloft in front of him as he enters a Braehead Arena baying for his blood, the boxing world may be about to get shocked all over again.
Few believed the former professional footballer when he said he'd fulfil his dying father's wish by becoming British champion.
The chancer was nothing more than that.
Even 21 professional wins couldn't convince many he could take Darren Hamilton's British title off him in Hull in February.
Take it he did in one of the most memorable nights for the sport on domestic shores for years.
It should have marked the end. But while Woodhouse has fulfilled one promise, he couldn't keep another as another goal reared its head.
His retirement plans shelved, he's back out for the first time tonight with not one but two titles on the line as he faces Willie Limond for the Scotman's Commonwealth crown and his own British belt.
Before it was about achieving what many thought was impossible, now the 34-year-old has one word at the forefront of his mind. Legacy.
"I'm pretty sure nobody is ever going to come from my background in sport and achieve what I achieved in winning the British title," explained Woodhouse from his Glasgow base.
"I could have retired knowing I'd achieved what I set out to achieve, but then I'd have missed out on nights like this.
"I've made my mark in the sport, now it's about leaving a legacy. To become British and Commonwealth champion, even I couldn't have dreamt that six months ago."
Another dream is tantalisingly close to becoming a reality.
Standing in Woodhouse's way is light-welterweight Commonwealth champion Limond.
At 35, he's fought just once in the last 16 months, a factor Woodhouse acknowledges could be both advantageous and a hindrance for the home favourite.
A former super-featherweight and lightweight champion, Limond has gone through the divisions and now plans to go through Woodhouse in a manner that will excite the partisan Glasgow crowd.
The underdog again, Woodhouse is relishing the prospect.
"I think this fight pretty much sums up my career," quipped Driffield's Woodhouse.
"From the start I've been the pantomime villain and it's a role I'm happy to play. I do it well.
"Getting abused by the fans will only spur me on. I'm used to people not being behind me or telling me I can't do it.
"I went to Doncaster to fight Steffy Bull and needed a police escort to get out of the place after beating him. I got thrown in with Frankie Gavin and was supposed to be the whipping boy and lost a controversial decision. This is just par for the course for me."
Never short of confidence, it's still evident what winning the British title has done for Woodhouse.
A vindication of sorts, the pressure is off but the confidence is at a new high.
"When you become British champion it gives you such a lift and the key for me is I know I can do it now," said Woodhouse.
"I'll go out there tonight not only expecting to win, but also planning on doing it in style too.
"People keep telling me it was the best I've ever fought against Hamilton, but me and my team saw so much that I could have done better.
"Tonight is going to be my best performance. I'm more relaxed, I'm more confident and I'm a better fighter.
"Before I wanted to win, now I want to win but I also want to look good and show everyone what a fighter I am. It's about a legacy, it's about not just leaving a mark but a lasting impression."
In that sort of mood, you don't argue with the champion.
