Belfast boxer Wayne McCullough is refusing to give up hope of landing another crack at a world title.
McCullough has lost his last seven world title fights but told BBC Sport that he has heard encouraging noises from the World Boxing Council (WBC).
"The WBC said that the bantamweight champion from Japan (Hozumi Hasegawa), if he agrees to fight me, that they would let me," said McCullough.
"I know the opportunity is there because I was a world champion."
In his last bout in June, the 38-year-old Belfast fighter quit on his stool while ahead against Juan Ruiz in the Cayman Islands.
Reports stated that the former WBC bantamweight champion had announced his retirement immediately after the defeat but this was then denied by the Northern Irishman.
"I was injured going into the fight," McCullough insisted in the BBC Newsline interview.
"I keep myself in shape. I train every day. I'm 38-year-old but Bernard Hopkins is 43-year-old.
"If you keep yourself in shape, you can fight on a regular basis.
"I know I can become a world champion again. I've lost in my last seven world championship fights but I thought I was robbed a few times."
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