Most of a historic world title fight with Wladimir Klitschko was a blur for Australian heavyweight boxer Alex Leapai.
The brutal barrage from the Ukrainian colossus did not help matters but Leapai reckons his recently discovered poor eye sight may have made a difference in last April's bout.
Rejuvenated after career-saving eye surgery, Leapai, 35, is now focusing on another world title shot.
The former Brisbane delivery van driver made history when he became the first Australian in more than 100 years to vie for a world heavyweight boxing title.
It was a dream that appeared to abruptly end when Leapai was stopped in the fifth round by a ruthless Klitschko last year.
However, Leapai reckons he will soon have another world title in his sights after undergoing surgery to remove cataracts in both eyes that threatened to leave him blind.
Leapai (30 wins, six losses, 24 KO) will take the first step when he leaves on Sunday for a May 22 bout with Lebanon's Manuel Charr (27 wins, three losses) in Moscow.
Victory will put him back in world title contention following last year's loss to American Malik Scott.
"The dream is still there to win a world title," Leapai said.
"I just had a problem with my eyes.
"I thought it was normal but it got pretty bad.
"It got to the stage where I couldn't read letters on a keyboard - now it's like brand new."
Leapai believed the poor eye sight that he endured for the past four years put his world title performance in perspective.
"It would have made a big difference," he said.
"All those punches, I would have seen them.
"You can't take anything away from Klitschko ...(he) won fairly.
"But this is going to help my comeback and I will prove I deserve to be up at the top.
"I feel good. I can't wait to get into smash mode."
Trainer Noel Thornberry said the eye surgery would ensure Leapai would step up and give a true account of himself if given another world title shot.
Asked if the poor eye sight may have proved the difference in his charge's Klitschko fight, Thornberry said: "There were so many different factors at play there.
"There was nerves, the big stage, the fact that he had a 115kg supreme athlete in front of him.
"But I honestly think Alex can do a hell of a lot better than what he did in the ring against Klitschko.
"He rang me the night of the surgery excited saying he hadn't been able to see like this since he was a teenager.
"Before it was a blur."
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