Kevin McBride's prize for winning in Berlin tonight could be a £160,000 purse to fight George Foreman. If the 6ft 7in Irish giant can overcome former world title contender Axel Schulz at the Max Schmeling Halle, his promoter Frank Maloney will begin talks with American cable network Home Box Office on a high-profile bout against Foreman.
And if a Foreman fight does not materialise, McBride could find himself paired with another member of the veteran heavyweight brigade - ex-WBA champion Tim Witherspoon. So there is a lot at stake for the huge man from Clones.
None of this seemed possible seven months ago when McBride was stopped in five rounds by American journeyman Louis Monaco in Las Vegas to dramatically lose his unbeaten record, but he has hit back with two wins since that nightmare performance.
McBride (24) said: "If I win this I'm in the big-time. I'm the underdog for this fight. I'm very excited about the prospect of meeting Foreman."
Maloney added: "The Foreman fight is on offer from HBO if he beats Schulz. But we've got to sit down and discuss it with Foreman's people. Witherspoon is also a possibility. If he beats Schulz, HBO are guaranteeing him a fight. The one we obviously want is Foreman."
