Sheffield's Clinton Woods will feel like boxing's Cinderella man when he climbs through the ropes a week on Saturday.
Although the Ridgeway light- heavyweight is defending a top World title belt against tough Aussie opponent, Jason DeLisle, in a televised bill beamed around the world, he readily accepts he is something of a bit-part player on the cast.
Although the Ridgeway light- heavyweight is defending a top World title belt against tough Aussie opponent, Jason DeLisle, in a televised bill beamed around the world, he readily accepts he is something of a bit-part player on the cast.
For the same night, his 'Fight Academy' promoters are also staging Ricky Hatton's much-vaunted invasion of America - and his bout against Luis Collazo in Boston will be the one that gets maximum publicity and attention.
So does he feel as if his efforts will be a little overshadowed?
"No, I think they will be a lot overshadowed," smiled the 34-year-old IBF champion.
"The last time I defended my World title, there was hardly a mention in the Sunday papers. Sometimes I do get a bit cheesed off with that.
"But on the other hand I take my hat off to Ricky. There are not many fighters who make the public as excited as he does.
"Manchester is a different sporting scene to Sheffield and he has never had any trouble filling arenas. He is a phenomenon."
Woods hopes Hatton can become a household name in the US.
"There has not been many Brits who have achieved that," reflected Woods.
"Naseem Hamed, Lennox Lewis, perhaps Nigel Benn. But Chris Eubank, for instance, despite being a World champion, never got a name for himself over there."
Woods regards himself as an exciting fighter, although he accepts, he too, has no big US following. "I think I'm exciting, the last three fights, including beating Rico Hoye, prove that. My stoppage rate is around 68 per cent, which is higher than most fighters. I can box technically and defend well, and maybe American audiences aren't as keen on that."
Woods may soon get the chance to press his case overseas. If he beats DeLisle (Ponds Forge; May 13) he could face mandatory challenger Glencoffe Johnson in America.
"People are talking about that but I can't afford to think about it. I have to beat DeLisle first. I don't want to mess that up."
So does he feel as if his efforts will be a little overshadowed?
"No, I think they will be a lot overshadowed," smiled the 34-year-old IBF champion.
"The last time I defended my World title, there was hardly a mention in the Sunday papers. Sometimes I do get a bit cheesed off with that.
"But on the other hand I take my hat off to Ricky. There are not many fighters who make the public as excited as he does.
"Manchester is a different sporting scene to Sheffield and he has never had any trouble filling arenas. He is a phenomenon."
Woods hopes Hatton can become a household name in the US.
"There has not been many Brits who have achieved that," reflected Woods.
"Naseem Hamed, Lennox Lewis, perhaps Nigel Benn. But Chris Eubank, for instance, despite being a World champion, never got a name for himself over there."
Woods regards himself as an exciting fighter, although he accepts, he too, has no big US following. "I think I'm exciting, the last three fights, including beating Rico Hoye, prove that. My stoppage rate is around 68 per cent, which is higher than most fighters. I can box technically and defend well, and maybe American audiences aren't as keen on that."
Woods may soon get the chance to press his case overseas. If he beats DeLisle (Ponds Forge; May 13) he could face mandatory challenger Glencoffe Johnson in America.
"People are talking about that but I can't afford to think about it. I have to beat DeLisle first. I don't want to mess that up."