From the city streets of West Belfast to the searing spotlight of a Tyson Fury undercard, Anthony Cacace admits he is "living the dream" in Saudi Arabia.
The 35-year-old from Andersonstown is preparing for the biggest night of his boxing career on Saturday night when he faces Joe Cordina for the IBF World super-featherweight title.
Over 26,000 fans will pack into the Kingdom Arena, while millions of fight fans will tune into their television screens to watch the pay-per-view blockbuster.
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Cacace has been enjoying the VIP treatment since touching down in Saudi Arabia last Saturday, staying in a luxury 5-star hotel and fine-tuning preparations in the shade of a 40 degree heat.
And on Saturday evening the temperature will be cranked up another level as he goes in search of world glory.
He told Belfast Live: "I am here to win this world title. I am not here to get beat. I do understand I am the underdog and I have a huge challenge ahead of me. But this is boxing with eight ounce gloves; anything can happen. We will see what happens.
"Joe Cordina is a two-time world champion and is very good. He is very fast and has a good boxing IQ. It is what it is. I am a bit older now and maybe not as sharp as I once was, but I know what I can do inside that ring. I aim to cause him problems and do the business.
"There will be a huge audience. It is a massive event, and all eyes will be on Saudi Arabia. It is my time to shine. I don't feel any pressure.
"I am going in as underdog. All the pressure is on Joe Cordina, he is the two-time world champion. I am just a wee boy from Andytown making my dreams come true."
Cordina has yet to taste defeat in the pro ranks, easing to a perfect record of 17-0. Cacace's record is of similar calibre, with just one loss blotting a 22-fight copybook. That came against Martin J Ward in a British title fight seven years ago, a bout the Belfast man felt aggrieved to lose.
" I thought I won that fight handy enough. I came out without a mark on my face. I suppose it made me realise I need to do more in those big fights. I need to look busier and do a bit more to win against these boys," he said.
"I just appreciate where I am now. There aren't many fighters who can say they are fighting at the level I am fighting at now, and that itself is something to be proud of."
Cacace has endured his fair share of frustration over the years, with issues beyond his control making him consider his future in the sport. He admits it is a "love-hate" relationship, but right now his passion for boxing is back.
"I have had ups and downs. I said in an interview the other day that boxing is my life. Even when I said I would walk away from the sport, it is out of frustration. I know that I couldn't really live without this game and everything to do with it," he added.
"All that s*** talk was just out of frustration at the times, know what I mean? It is a love-hate relationship. One minute I love it, the next I hate it.
"I am in love with boxing at the minute. I am fighting for a world title in Saudi Arabia, I am buzzing. I feel privileged to be in this situation now, and I just want to soak this all in and enjoy it.
"Here I am, fighting on a Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undercard in Saudi Arabia, in front of a global audience of millions. Where would you get it? I am a wee boy from Andytown in Saudi doing the job he loves. This is what dreams are made of.
"Whatever happens happens, but I have done everything in my power to win this fight. If things don't go to plan, that is just the way it's meant to be."
Cacace won the IBO World super-featherweight title in 2022 with a superb win over Michael Magnesi in Manchester, but his professional boxing career has often flown under the radar, until now.
Asked if he felt he was finally getting the recognition he deserved, Cacace said: "Maybe I didn't put myself out there. I was never that guy on social media talking s***. I don't mingle with too many people.
"I think people follow me for my boxing, and understand what type of person I am. They are the followers I want. I don't want people following me to see me get battered because I have a big mouth.
"The way things have gone is the way I wanted them to go. What you see is what you get. I am not anything else.
"I am the same Anthony Cacace as I was years ago. I am no better or bigger than the next person, except I fight. That is it."
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