Sean McComb finally has the chance to make up for 18 months worth of lost time.

Since coming out on the wrong end of a controversial split decision defeat to Arnold Barboza Jr. in April of 2024, McComb has had to sit, watch and wait for another meaningful opportunity.

Finally, this summer, the Irish southpaw was given the news that as long as he notched up a win on a GBM Promotions show in September, it was highly likely that he would land a spot on Matchroom’s December 6 card in Monte Carlo.

The man standing between McComb (20-2, 5 KOs) and a return to the big stage was undefeated but unproven Welshman, Ben Crocker.

Things didn’t start well. Midway through the opening round, McComb was deposited on the canvas by a massive left hook.

It is no exaggeration to say that the 33-year-old’s entire career hung in the balance as he listened to the referee’s eight count but McComb didn’t allow those thoughts to infiltrate his mind.

He got up, crept his way back into the fight and eventually boxed his way to a 10-round unanimous decision.

Now, he is just days away from a 10-round fight with unbeaten Monacan, Hugo Micallef (11-0, 3 KOs). The fight will be streamed by DAZN.

“I immediately just gathered my thoughts and the first thing I thought of was, 'I won't make that mistake again. I won't come out high again. I won't be caught on the way out again.'” McComb told The Ring.

“I don't think I really put a foot wrong after that. Each round, as it went on, I felt like I was growing into the fight. It was a new experience for me but I stayed very composed.

“When I got up onto my feet I was not hurt one bit but it was a good knockdown. I mean, he caught me flush. I was surprised myself that there was no daze. There was no dizziness. I just gathered myself and thought, 'I won't make that mistake again' and I don't think I did.”

Fighting Micallef at the glamorous Salle des Étoiles in Monaco is the polar opposite to grinding out a must win decision over Crocker at Sheffield’s Park Community Arena but McComb believes that it is exactly that type of experience that will prove the difference this weekend.

Micallef boxed internationally as an amateur and has fought around the world since he turned professional in 2021. The 27-year-old has never been beyond eight rounds and McComb represents a giant leap in his calibre of opposition.

“He probably boxed at a higher level than Ben in terms of amateur boxing. He boxed in the world qualifiers, Olympic qualifiers and he boxed at an elite level around the circuit which helps you develop but, when it comes to professional boxing, I don't think he holds half the experience I have,” McComb said.

“It’s up to me now to just turn it on and really flick the switch on my performance and just really, really put it on the night, especially with him being a hometown fighter. He'll have a lot of support there I imagine and I'm just fully focused. I've had a great camp.”

McComb has experienced just how harsh the sport of boxing can be. He produced the best performance of his career against Barboza but rather than giving him a foothold in the world rankings, it resulted in him being exiled.

Lots of fighters in McComb’s position would snatch at their opportunity against Micallef or box with a sense of desperation. McComb isn’t going to allow the occasion to affect his mindset or performance.

He is confident that as long as he boxes to his strengths, he will score a crucial win and set himself up for a delayed assault on the world scene.

“I think it's very important for me to focus on me and what I do. My team needs to just focus on what I can do best and it's up to him to try and figure a way around it,” he said.

“I feel like I can box in a universal style. I can do a bit of everything. I can go in close. I can go forward. I can box on the back foot. I can change angles on punches, head, body. I've got a great variation and I've got a great boxing IQ.

“Feints are going to be very important in this fight. My lead hand, my jab is going to be very important - as it is every fight - and distance control. I’ll force the mistakes from him and I'll make him pay.”