Junior middleweight contender Milan Prat had been moving along nicely until his career hit a speedbump.

The Frenchman won European honours in 2022 and was unbeaten across 20 outings before being upset by Slawa Spomer, suffering a 10th-round stoppage loss in October 2023.

It was a long and arduous path back but nine wins later, and just over two years removed from his lone career defeat, Prat is back on top having learned from that experience.

"That loss was hard, especially since it was my own fault," Prat (29-1, 23 KOs) told The Ring.

"Terrible weight loss in a short time. Too much water cut and not a good rehydration. Putting these puzzles together led to an awful outcome. Although my opponent beat me, he was ready on fight day. But now I will never do this mistake again and if I had the chance to do the rematch again today, I wouldn't hesitate for a second to eraze that loss.

"[It led to] an excess of confidence and pride. [I] prepared in France with my family, when I usually isolate myself in America.

"It was very difficult to come back to this stage of my career. First, doubt sets in. But I always kept my faith in God, confidence in myself, and a strong support system around me."

For the Spomer fight he didn't have the respected Bobby Benton in his corner, who he has known since 2022 but worked with exclusively since 2024.

The union is one Prat is comfortable with and since they have worked consistently together the results have spoken for themselves, winning the last six inside the distance.

Most recently, he regained his old European title with a comprehensive ninth-round stoppage over Jan Helin on November 22 and followed that victory with a trip to Mecca.

"Religion has an important place in my life as a man and in my career without it, none of this would have been possible," he said.

"It was important for me to go to Mecca to reconnect spiritually and to complete an Umrah (the minor pilgrimage).

"With God by my side and discipline in my work, nothing is impossible for me."

After that awakening, he feels grounded and is ready to push onwards with his career.

"I want every big name at junior middleweight, [Bakhram] Murtazaliev, [Xander] Zayas, [Abass] Baraou, [Tim] Tszyu - every guy from the top 10," he said. "I'm ready and want to take everything from them."

However, it appears that may have to wait and he will have to defend his European title against compatriot Reda Kham (18-1, 4 KOs) next. Both teams have until February 12 to reach a deal, otherwise the fight will go to purse bids.

"I'm waiting either to defend my European champion title or to get a bigger opportunity against the best," he said. "I want to become world champion, and through hard work and by the grace of God, I will.

"I'm eagerly waiting for that opportunity, so I can back up everything I'm saying."