WHEN Ryan Waters steps into the boxing ring against Pradeep Singh at the end of the month, he will risk everything - his reputation, his world ranking and his hard-earned savings.
Waters, the World Boxing Organisation's No. 13-ranked junior middleweight, promotes his fights. It is the ultimate show of faith in his own ability because his income not only depends upon him winning but it also relies heavily upon his ability to draw a crowd.
"I've been pretty lucky, I have a tremendous and loyal following," said the 30-year-old from Cronulla. "When I put on a show, I try to make it memorable and hope the people who attend are impressed enough to come back."
Waters (12-2-1) faces the toughest opponent of his 15-fight career at Cronulla Leagues Club on November 28. Singh, who is undefeated in 15 bouts, is a proven performer. However, Waters said it would be bad business for him to fight anyone less than tough.
"People want to see contests, and Singh is certainly going to be a great challenge," he said.
"He's undefeated as a professional, he has a very good amateur record and he'll be a big test.
"I wouldn't have it any other way, though. A lot of Australians do take easy fights and while it is good for the records, it bites them when they get big fights … they suddenly find themselves in a place they've never been before. A lot of people thought I was crazy to fight Steve Heremaia in my last fight - he's a tough Kiwi - but I beat him and it was great for my confidence."
Waters, who recently appointed the respected David Birchell to be his trainer, has enjoyed a massive build-up for the fight and with good reason. Victory should assure him a top-10 berth in the WBO and that would allow him to one day engineer an assault on Ukrainian champion Sergiy Dzinziruk's belt. Another highly ranked fighter in that organisation's junior middleweight ranks is the great Oscar De La Hoya.
However, Birchell said Waters was happy to take his career one step at a time.
"Ryan realises, even if he breaks into the top 10, he's a little while off a world title fight," he said.
"He is smart enough to realise most fighters only get one shot at the crown and you need to be properly prepared when you take it. I'm impressed by his approach with such things and I'm also ecstatic with how quickly he picks things up."
Waters has sparred a variety of boxers including former WBA super middleweight champion Anthony Mundine, IBF lightweight contender Ranee Ganoy and hot prospect Kurt Bahram to fine tune his speed and strength before the Singh showdown.