Kiwi Joseph Parker will return to the boxing ring to fight British cruiserweight champion Jack 'One Smack' Massey on January 22.
The pair will square off on the undercard of the Chris Eubanks Jr v Liam Smith main event at Manchester.
It will mark Parker's first fight since his devastating knockout loss to British star Joe Joyce for the WBO interim heavyweight title in September.
The defeat saw Parker's record fall to 30-3, following a seven-fight win streak, including back-to-back decisions over Derek Chisora.
But his upcoming bout against division newcomer Massey will provide the ideal opportunity to kick off his comeback with a decisive victory.
Massey will make the jump to heavyweight for the first time, having notched a 20-1 record as a career cruiserweight.
He is also the reigning IBO cruiserweight world champion after winning the title with a TKO victory over Bilal Laggoune last year.
"I don't shy away from a challenge. Stepping up to fight a top 10 ranked heavyweight," Massey said on Twitter following the fight announcement.
Parker is no stranger to welcoming cruiserweights to the heavyweight division, having knocked out American Shawndell Winters in 2020.
The Kiwi will need an equalling as impressive finish if he's to get his world title ambitions on track, and his promoter believes a fight against Massey is the perfect platform.
"Local lad Jack Massey has been begging me for this fight against Joseph Parker," BOXXER boss Ben Shalom said of the bout.
"He has got huge support in Manchester and now he'll be fighting one of the biggest names in boxing.
"Parker is coming back after his Fight of the Year contender with Joe Joyce and will want to show exactly what he is all about.
It will be very interesting to see how Parker reacts against a hometown favourite."
