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Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker will be looking for a knockout victory when he faces unbeaten country rival Junior Fa on February 27 at Spark Arena.
Parker, who has a superior edge in experience, is viewed as a big favorite to win the fight.
The two boxers have traded plenty of words over the years – which is why Parker is highly motivated to end their grudge fight inside the distance.
“I’ll knock him out between rounds one and twelve!” Parker told Stuff.
“I know what I can do. I’m not one of those guys who can predict what’s going to happen, but I know if I go in there, let my hands go and throw combinations, that I can do a lot of damage and he’s going to be on the receiving end of that.”
Most of Parker’s high profile bouts have taken place outside of New Zealand.
While he’s been interested in facing Fa for a long time, it wasn’t the opportunity he was searching for.
Parker was trying to secure fights with names like Oleksandr Usyk, Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte.
Because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Fa quickly emerged as the most lucrative opportunity.
“This fight feels different in the sense that it wasn’t really a fight we were looking at,” Parker said.
“But with everything that happened with COVID, it was the only option. But it’s great that we’re both ranked in the top ten in the world and live not far from each other.
“So it’s a little different that I’m back here in New Zealand, fighting in front of family and friends and a crowd, because the last few fights I’ve had have been overseas. There’s also a lot of talk about who’s the best heavyweight in New Zealand, I believe that I’m the best and I want to prove that and show it.”