Expect Ohaewai boxer Mohamed Azzaoui to be a little more careful than usual when he takes on American Derrek Whitley at Sky City Casino in Auckland.
Azzaoui's 12-round title bout has the top billing for tonight's televised "Dodge Fight Night", and his trainer Anthony Warren said the pair have good reason
to take Whitley's challenge seriously.
But the American's reputation as a clever and determined boxer is all the Azzaoui's camp have to go on.
"We haven't been able to get hold of any tapes of this guy, which makes it hard, but we'll know how good he is after one round and we'll take it from there," Warren said.
Warren is usually very optimistic about Azzaoui's chances but said despite the American coming up a weight division to fight the former Algerian heavyweight, they were taking the encounter very seriously.
"We're a bit guarded this time, because he's known as a tough opponent so we'll have to wait and see how we play it."
Warren said he was happy with Azzaoui's preparation for the bout, despite a lack of sparring practice against suitable opponents.
"It's always hard for heavyweights to find good sparring partners and it has been made harder this week because (Whitley) is a left-hander," Warren said.
"You can never be too sure but we're confident we've prepared well, if that's not enough, what can you do?"
The Northland boxer's preparation was upset two weeks ago when American Galen Brown pulled out of the bout and Whitley was named as a late replacement.
Azzaoui arrived in Auckland yesterday and went through some light training ahead of tonight's fight.
Delayed coverage of the five-card "Dodge Fight Night" will screen on TV One from 10.30pm.
Warren said the television coverage was a good opportunity for Azzaoui to gain further support and recognition from the New Zealand public, for what the trainer hoped would be a breakthrough year for the boxer.
The most keenly anticipated fight on the card will be Monty Betham's first bout in front of a New Zealand audience.
Cruiserweight Peter Kariuku and Daniel Tai will also be on the card, as will American Tyrone Brunson, who will claim a world record if the big-hitter manages to knock out his opponent Jamie Waru.
