Hughie Fury has conceded that a long spell out of the ring had led him to worry he might retire.
The 29-year-old cousin of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury last fought in 2021, when he defeated Christian Hammer.
Since then, a skin condition and the after-effects of a bout of Covid have seen him struggle for fitness.
On Saturday night he will fight Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko in Rotherham, and will then appear on the undercard for Jessica McCaskill vs. Lauren Price (live on Peacock in the US).
Fury believes his struggles outside the ring have been tougher than any of his bouts.
“The battle has been outside the ring. This is the easy bit. This is what I love to do. The goal is to get to the top, this is the dream that I’ve never given up on. Now, we’re starting back and I’m full of joy,” he told Boxing Scene.
“There’s always worries and doubts in your mind [that he may have been forced to retire] but there’s also a belief inside that this is what I’m meant to do. I’m meant to get to the top. I don’t care about money. I care about legacy and that’s the dream I’m going to follow.”
He added: “I’ve had all the learning fights. Now I’m finally coming into myself and it’s time to start getting the rust off and getting back into these big fights.
“I’m healthy, that’s the main thing. Activity is the main thing for me. If I could fight every week if I could. I want to get as many fights as I can and be active.”
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