It's been an incredibly frustrating few months for Kiwi heavyweight boxing contender Junior Fa.
Following his first professional loss at the hands of former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker in February, Fa was keen to get back in the ring as soon as possible.
The 31-year-old's profile was as big as ever - and for the first time in several years, Fa was fighting at 100 percent.
Several medical issues and injuries had hampered Fa's career, but by the time he stepped into the ring with his fellow Kiwi, he was in pristine physical condition.
Parker got the nod that night, winning a unanimous decision, but Fa arguably came out of the fight with more hype than he did when he entered.
Several pundits picked a quick night's work for Parker, but Fa hung tough, frustrating Parker and winning his fair share of rounds.
Driven to get back on track, Fa hit the gym days after tasting his first defeat in 20 fights and had hoped to get back in the ring within months.
A potential fight with undefeated Australian Justis Huni was rumoured, but the Queenslander suffered two broken hands in defeating former NRL star Paul Gallen, leaving Fa to look elsewhere.
Unfortunately, several fights have fallen off the table thanks to the unstable nature of a COVID-19 world, and Fa has been left to wonder if he is wasting his best years.
Speaking to Newhsub, the City Kickboxing-trained heavyweight says he's considering a move abroad to get a fight before the end of the year.
"It kinda sucks," Fa says of his inactivity.
"Right now I feel like I'm at my peak. I'm strong and I'm the fittest I have ever been.
"I really want to fight - I don't want to waste these years of my prime sitting at home. If I have to move abroad to get fights then I will.
"That thought just popped in my head and I discussed it with my wife and it's a real possibility. I'm young and fit and ready to go. I want to stay here in New Zealand but it may be a case of having to move if I want to continue fighting… we will see how it plays out."
Fa's longtime rival Parker recently returned home after a frustrating few months himself.
Newshub understands Parker is still hopeful of a second fight against Derek Chisora, whom he beat in May, but a bout agreement hasn't been signed and the Kiwi is still technically without a promoter after his contract with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing expired.
With both heavyweight contenders back in New Zealand and hungry for a fight, could a rematch be on the cards? Fa says he's game.
"I'll fight anyone before the end of the year if something pops up and heck yes I would fight Joe again.
"I feel like for me there is always a possibility of a rematch". It was a good fight and not a decisive win for him, so we could run that back anytime.
For now, though, it's back to the gym - once Auckland bounces back to alert level two - and for Fa, that means a chance to better himself, training at one of the most high-regarded combat sports gyms on the planet.
"It's looking like a fight will be around next year, but you never know with boxing. We will prepare for a February fight the best we can but at the money, it's about learning to love training again and I have really embraced that.
"Great culture at the gym, great vibe, and great training.
"I've really focused on working on my discipline in the ring. Work on sticking to my gameplan. If I have to fight boring behind my jab then I have to discipline myself to commit to that plan and execute that plan in every round."
