Andy Ruiz Jnr says hometown advantage is a significant factor to overcome in his world title fight against Joseph Park in Auckland next month.
But Ruiz will be fired by something special - his long-held ambition to become the first Mexican heavyweight champion.
Speaking exclusively on Radio Sport Breakfast, the American-Mexican fighter said from Las Vegas that hometown advantage was always a factor in boxing. Auckland was a hurdle, but Ruiz had the mission to create history on his side.
Mexico has had great fighters, including America-Mexico citizen Oscar de la Hoya and six-time world champion Julio Cesar Chavez. But never a heavyweight champ. Ruiz has talked about his chance to make history for the last three years and re-iterated that on Radio Sport.
"Yeah, it is where ever the fight takes place," when asked if hometown advantage could sway a result.