Fighting back after drive-by Title shot: Peter Mitrevski will fight Luke Sharp in Perth. It's fitting Peter Mitrevski has embraced the adage that any experience that doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, because he's returning to professional boxing after recovering from a drive-by shooting 18 months ago. Mitrevski, who will fight undefeated Luke Sharp for the International Boxing Organisation Asia Pacific middleweight title in Perth this weekend, was shot in the legs outside a mechanic's garage in Marrickville in February 2011. The 31-year-old was reluctant to relive the traumatic episode and said he was simply in the "wrong place at the wrong time." He was determined to use the bout in Perth as the first step to make up for the opportunities - and time - he'd lost while recuperating. As someone who had tangled with former German world champion Sebastian Sylvester and highly rated Briton Martin Murray, he believes his best days were ahead of him. "I've worked my arse off," Mitrevski said. It was a personal goal to get back in there because I feel as if I have unfinished business. I've recovered fully; am back to normal and just ready to fight. Mitrevski, whose father Peter snr was the Australian flyweight champion in the 1990s, said although he cannot forget being shot, it had affected him in a positive way. "I was in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said. The person was never identified but when I think back on it now, it was one of the things that has made me a better person. I now realise your health is your wealth. I know Sharp will have a lot of support in Perth but if he beats me it's because he deserves it and not because he has a lot of support. I'm taking the right attitude ... everything is a bonus for me. Me, boxing again. It's a bonus. Mitrevski cited the fact he had agreed to fight the impressive Sharp in his first fight since he lost to Johannes Mwetupunga in December 2010 should prove he wasn't looking for an easy ride. "I've always had the mentality what doesn't kill you makes you stronger," he said. There's an easy way and a hard way and I'm definitely not taking the easy way. I could've come back and fought a Thai or a Kiwi and had an easy win - a 'road kill' as they call it - but I'm taking on an undefeated fighter. I've fought some of the best in the world. I went 12 rounds with Martin Murray who fought [pound-for-pound the world's best middleweight] Sergio Martinez and while Murray knocked Martinez down twice, he never knocked me down once. Renowned trainer Johnny Lewis, who masterminded the reign of six world champions, has prepared Mitrevski for his return and the fighter said he will draw strength from looking in his corner. "My dad will be in the corner with Johnny," he said. He's been important because dad knows the game and while he never pushed me into the sport, he supports me. He did so well as a fighter ... He was an inspiration.