Rising junior bantamweight Yahir Frank was riding the crest of the wave and zeroing in on a title challenge - until he wasn't.

The 23-year-old was upset by Jayr Raquinel (UD 12) last October. The defeat left him with many regrets.

"I knew it was a big opportunity and I didn't take it," Frank (17-1, 12 KOs) told The Ring. "I wasn't in good shape for such an important fight.

"I needed to be more disciplined with my training and with my weight. I had to lose too much weight in the weeks before. It was 100 percent my fault."

The Mexican has spent much of the 14 months since, soul-searching.

"I had a very bad time after that fight - I was depressed," he admitted. "I was at home in Ciudad Obregón with my family thinking a lot about my future."

Frank has rededicated himself to training and has spent almost four-months getting into optimal condition ahead of his return on Saturday against former world title challenger Argi Cortes in a must win, all-Mexican match up, that will take place at a catchweight of 116 pounds, in Tijuana.

"This is a new opportunity, God gave to me, and this time I will take it," he said. "Argi is a very good fighter, but I know I have to win and I will do it. This is a big one and I am not thinking about another defeat."

His promoter, Mario Abraham hopes his fighter has turned a corner and has matured.

"Trainer Alfredo Caballero has been telling me that Yahir is in a very good shape and training very hard," said Abraham. "I hope he learned from last fight.

"I know this is a very difficult fight, but if Yahir wins, it will be a big step in his career and will be near again a world title fight."

Cortes (28-4-2, 11 KOs) made his professional debut in April 2014. He fell on difficult times with consecutive defeats a year apart during his formative years, though rebounded strongly and didn't lose again before facing then-Ring champion Juan Francisco Estrada (UD 12) in September 2022.

Having shown he could compete at the highest level, the Mexico City resident won a pair of 10-round decision wins against low-level opposition to earn a shot at Junto Nakatani, who then held the WBO crown at 115 pounds. After a wide 12-round decision loss in September 2023, the 31-year-old has bounced back with three victories.