Demond Nicholson tasted a loss last time out but he seems to have the right outlook on that outing, which saw him get stopped in seven rounds by Jesse Hart on TV.

Nicholson (18-3-1, 17 knockouts) will once again scrap in front of friends and family, and on TV, at the Maryland Live Casino, in Hanover, Saturday night.

He told RingTV.com that he sees the loss to Hart as a positive, in that he’s learned from it, and that he’s poised to rebound against Brazilian Isaac Rodrigues (25-2, 20 KOs), who hasn’t faced the caliber of foes the Maryland-based Nicholson has.

“This fight here is very big for my career moving forward,” said Nicholson, a 25-year-old super middleweight, who is humble and polite.

“Most importantly it’s my home and it’s for a regional title. Great opportunity for me and my team. I’m fighting a rough, tough, experienced Rodrigues, from Brazil, who’s been fighting for a quite awhile. He lost two fights but has bounced back. This is the time where I can really show my true talent and expose what I haven’t to the world just yet!”

Rodriguez, 33, lost back-to-back scraps in 2011 and has won eight straight since that rough patch.

This bout is a main event of a Jeter Promotions card, portions of which will run on CBS Sports Network. This writer will do color on the show, with Ray Flores providing blow-by-blow commentary.

“My last fight was a huge learning experience for me,” Nicholson continued. “Honestly I let my emotions get in the way of me actually focusing on what really mattered. Having to carry a lot of weight on your shoulders is not the way to go when you’re preparing for one of the biggest fights of your career. What did I learn? Have to have a clear mind and stay prayed up, so you can actually see your blessings.”

Nicholson is promoted by Lou DiBella, for the record. I asked him to share a bit more about what was weighing on him when he faced Hart, on ESPN, April 28 in Philly.

“I have two kids, Mike; they have to eat and, where I’m from, not many of us make it out, so the pressure of having to make it, instead of me just having fun, doing what I love, kind of built on me,” Nicholson explained. “I didn’t want to let myself down or my kids, so I fought angry, instead of sticking to what I actually know.

“My upbringing wasn’t rough. I stayed in the gym most of my life, so, if it was rough, the gym kept my mind off of it. My parents did a hell of a job raising me. They didn’t have the best jobs but my mom would spend her last dime making sure things were right in our home. My mom worked two, three jobs and my dad was a truck driver. I grew up around a lot of negativity but never got involved. So was that loss to Hart a blessing in disguise? In a way, yes. Definitely. I’m right back fighting for a title on TV in my home. Perfect opportunity off a loss!”

Follow Michael Woods on Twitter @Woodsy1069 and you can also listen to Woods’ “Talkbox” podcast if you’d like.

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