Activity was a fight Marcus Browne was losing. Now though, he’s punching back.

For the last few years, Browne has been out of sight and out of mind. None of it, according to him, has been his fault. You know how the boxing business goes. And unfortunately for him, he found himself left on the side of the road.

Browne though, was too talented to stay there. So on June 28, he’ll make his return when he takes on Olanrewaju Durodola. On the line will be the WBC’s international cruiserweight title. Grabbing that strap wouldn’t be the most meaningful belt he’s won in his career, but it could get him a top 15 ranking.

Ultimately, that’s what it’s all about for Browne. At 34, he isn’t interested in simply going through the motions and fighting bottom feeders. He’s always fought the best. Whether it was during his amateur days or during his light heavyweight reign, fighting top-level guys is what he’s in the sport for. With that said, now that he’s campaigning as a cruiserweight, it doesn’t get any higher than Jai Opetaia.

Currently in possession of The Ring and IBF titles, Opetaia is largely viewed as the division’s top dog. Browne doesn’t have a problem acknowledging it. Opetaia has built his career on the KO’d bodies of top contenders. And while Browne (25-2, 16 KOs) knows his resume is impressive, as he looks up and down it, he doesn’t notice a single soul that’s as good as he is.

“He’s a good fighter,” Browne told The Ring recently. “But he ain’t fought anybody like me.”

Opetaia’s last two opponents said something similar. The 29-year-old isn’t a big talker so unsurprisingly, he had little to say. What he did do, however, was let his fists do the talking.

Browne, whether he’s ranked or not in the next few weeks, won’t be on Opetaia’s radar unless he gets his hands on a title. Whether he does or he doesn’t, Opetaia (28-0, 22 KOs) will always be number one on his hit list. It isn’t anything personal or some sort of dislike. He actually likes the way Opetaia carries himself and respects his skills. But, it’s just the way Browne is wired. If someone in his weight class is considered the best, he wants to go out there and prove that he's better.

“I never ducked anyone,” Browne stated. “I always wanted to fight the best.”