Heavyweight boxing hasn't been this red-hot in 20-years and Joseph Parker's WBO title defence against Hughie Fury is the most exciting match-up in the division.
Well, that's according to Fury's trainer, Peter Fury who will lead his charge onto the battlefield that is the squared circle on Sunday morning (NZ time).
- Joseph Parker oozing confidence, promises KO of Fury
- Parker has never face anyone like me - Hughie Fury
The heavyweight division is currently stacked with exciting prospects like Dillian Whyte, polished veterans like David Haye, and two violently scary champions in American Denotay Wilder and Brit Anthony Joshua.
Not since the generation that produced Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson and Riddick Bowe have there been so many mouth-watering bouts to look forward to.
But Fury is convinced this WBO title fight is the cream of a stacked crop.
"For me personally, I think this is the hottest fight out of all of them, because it's 50/50 in my view," he told Newshub.
"It's red-hot at the moment and there are some good fighters out there, but this is a genuine fight, whereas you can look at the others and say that they're not.
"They're just a case of getting in there and getting a payday … there's no real opposition.
"Both of them [Parker and Fury] would be willing to put their life on the line to win it. It's the most exciting fight out there at the moment."
Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be too much interest in Joseph Parker's first venture into the United Kingdom.
Ticket sales are low and as seen here, Manchester seems oblivious to any knowledge of the fighters or the fight.
Fury insists the bout has more to recommend it than the number of bodies through the turnstiles.
"I don't know what the ticket sales are, but there will be a good show on the night.
"Hughie's up and coming, Joseph Parker's not really known here. They're not big names yet, but it's about building those names.
"They're both putting their unbeaten records on the line, both of them want it this more than anything.
"It's fireworks, it's got all the ingredients of a great fight."
There's nothing better than a disruptive press conference to drum up a bit of pre-fight hype and that's exactly what occurred on Wednesday, when Duco Events promoter David Higgins was removed after accusing the Fury team of hand-picking the fight officials.
The move worked, with original referee Terry O'Conner replaced by Marcus O'Donnell.
However, Fury said those decisions were never in their hands.
"We can't have any sway with the officials. It's out of our control, so that was frustrating.
"I spoke to David Higgins and he understands that now. It's all resolved, so let's get on and have a fair fight."
Fair fight or not, Fury is predicting only one outcome - a stoppage win for the 22-year-old Brit.
"He's looking very strong, he's in a good place. He's ready to take this fight, and he's trained for the best Joseph Parker and a hard 12 rounds
"He's confident and he said 'I don't just want to win, I want to win big'.
"That's his mentality and I'm not going to knock that out of him. I want to see a good fight."
Parker v Fury is available on Sky Arena, 8am Sunday September 24.
Newshub.
