Joseph Parker is lapping up his home advantage for the WBO heavyweight title fight against Andy Ruiz, believing it will be crucial for a bout he has no doubt will be the toughest of his career.
The fight has been confirmed for Auckland's Vector Arena on December 10 and the 24-year-old Parker couldn't be happier to see that outcome from a prolonged battle to secure the finances to make it happen.
Parker made that clear when he fronted media via a video link on Wednesday.
"Now that it is locked in and we know it is in New Zealand, that very important because we have everything set up there. It's fantastic," Parker said.
"When we get back we know where our gym is, we know where we are staying, we have support from family and friends. To go to New Zealand I believe that familiarity will give me that extra help I need."
And Parker indicated he'd need every advantage he could muster to secure his dream of winning a world title.
His opponent and the occasion demanded that.
"Andy Ruiz will be the fastest heavyweight I have been in the ring with. Andy has had more fights than I have. Andy puts on pressure."
Parker said while his focus in the ring on fight night meant he blocked out what was going on outside the ring, he was well aware of the atmosphere backing him in his previous New Zealand fights. That would only ramp up in the larger setting of Vector Arena where a crowd of around 10,000 is assured.
Parker met Ruiz by chance while he waited for a taxi after both fighters attended last weekend's Manny Pacquiao WBO welterweight title win in Las Vegas and said they both welcomed the informal catchup.
"Andy is a nice guy, he's respectful and we respect him," Parker said of his quick chat with the 27-year-old Ruiz.
"I said he would enjoy New Zealand and let's have some fun when we are in the ring together."
Ruiz's improving body shape wasn't lost on Parker either. Ruiz has long been criticised for his weight issues but Parker said he believed his Mexican opponent had already lost as much as 18kg as he got stuck into his own training camp at altitude in Big Bear, California.
That was an indication of the serious attitude Ruiz would bring to New Zealand.
"You could see he's in a lot better shape than he was for other fights. You could see he has been putting in the work with his team I believe we are going to see the best Andy Ruiz on December 10."
But Parker was thrilled with his own camp, saying preparation had gone to a new level befitting this fight that will give the winner one of the four major belts on offer.
"Just the focus in this camp ... it's on a new level. I'm a lot more focussed than other camps we have had," Parker said.
"We had a great sparing session today. I've been given great sparring partners who match what Ruiz brings in size and height. I've got two weeks to go in camp here and it's important to make every day count now.
"When we leave Vegas I know everything will have been done to get me in the best shape I've been in. When I'm in that ring, I'm going to leave everything in that ring. I'll know I've done everything I can to get the victory. I've always said that if I have a great training camp I believe in myself and I can beta anyone in the world."
Parker believed he would do another 50 rounds of sparring before he arrived in Auckland on November 25.
He backed himself to deal with the distractions of the final two weeks in his home city leading into the fight.
"I have a great team behind me. I'll be ready for whatever is there. I want to keep focussed. I'm over the moon that it is in New Zealand and I want to put ina good performance for all of our supporters."