Former All Black Liam Messam is confident of winning Kiwi bragging rights at this year's Fight for Life against ex-Australia and Queensland centre Justin Hodges.
On Thursday, the two will square off in a cross-code bout on a stacked Fight for Life card, which also sees Kiwi Mea Motu up against Canada's Tiana Walters for the IBO super bantamweight world title.
The night itself is a fundraiser for mental health charity I Am Hope, but that hasn't seen any love lost between the two fighters.
Hodges, 40, has already vowed to knock 43-test All Black Messam out, as his ninth fight since retiring from rugby league.
So far, Hodges has defeated former NRL players Ben Hannant, Nathan Ross and Darcy Lussick and lost twice to Paul Gallen.
But Thursday's bout will be his first against a former rugby player, and his second against a Kiwi.
Messam, though, is looking forward to the chance to hand Hodges his fourth loss in nine fights.
"He's fought a lot of Aussies, hasn't he?" Messam told Newshub. "And he hasn't fought an All Black.
"We'll have to show him up when he gets in that ring. I'm super excited.
"You train for seven weeks just to get to this week. I'm just wanting to get out there and go toe to toe."
As a boxer, Messam is unbeaten in his five fights, albeit against fighters that fans would struggle to recognise.
After a 15-year career in rugby, Messam would be forgiven for carrying old knocks into Thursday's bout.
But, the 39-year-old is confident in his body holding out for long enough to get the job done.
"It's in good shape - as good as it can be," he added. "We're all athletes here and trying to tick along.
"There's bumps and bruises from the past, but it is what it is."
Hodges, meanwhile, has doubled down on his pre-fight talk.
While he admits not knowing too much about what Messam will bring, the former NRL and State of Origin winner asserts he'll have no issue in emerging victorious later this week.
"I don't know too much about Liam," said Hodges. "I don't really watch other peoples' fights, it's something I don't worry about.
"It's like a game of footy, everything changes on the run. I'm just going to go out there, worry about what I can do, and I know if I bring my best, I'll beat him.
"I don't see him beating me. I'm going to be fitter than him, I'm stronger than him, I'm going to be faster than him.
"I just don't see a way of him beating me, but hey, it's boxing, anything can happen.
"I'm just excited to be in the ring with him. I admire the guy, it's just good we get to share the ring together."
Join Newshub at 7pm, Thursday April 27 for live updates of Fight for Life
