Barlow ready for the big show

David Letele, aka Brown Buttabean, meets with Whanganui's Che Barlow in Auckland ahead of their opening bout on tonight's undercard of the Joseph Parker vs Andy Ruiz world title fight.

It all struck Whanganui boxer Che Barlow as being real when he faced the flashing cameras at yesterday's media weigh-in for the Joseph Parker vs Andy Ruiz bout for the vacant WBO heavyweight title in Auckland.

Barlow, 40, will be facing celebrity fighter David Letele, aka Brown Buttabean, on the opening match of the show at Vector Arena, in a rematch of their close four-round bout in Waitara on October 29.

Letele won a narrow points decision in an entertaining slugfest, prompting Duco Events to request Barlow for the rematch on the biggest card in New Zealand boxing history.

At yesterday's weigh-in's, Barlow tipped the scales at 105kg, while his opponent weighed in at 127kg.

"He looks like he lost a little bit of weight, but kind of the same," Barlow said.

A large contingent of family as well as his Hydra Boxing Academy trainers from Eltham have travelled up with Barlow for the show, with the local boy trying to relax at the hotel pool with the kids after doing the press event.

Barlow said it was awesome to see Parker and Ruiz, the latter looking very relaxed, while he marvelled at their big entourages and news of the luxury accommodations they were all staying at.

"It's a been a real eye opener - you should just see the money that goes around," he said.

"The elite fighters, they live an elite life. They're quite blessed."

Barlow is vowing not to make the same mistake as he did in his last fight with the more experienced Buttabean, where he went all-out attack in the second round and did not have enough energy to maintain the pressure at the end of the bout.

For his part, Letele is promising another war.

"I can't believe we are on this history making card," he said on Facebook.

"Don't miss this fight. The last time we fought it was like something out of Rocky.

"Headbutts, elbows and tackles. This will be one heck of a fight.

"I'm feeling so fit for this fight I'm scared of myself."

Barlow wanted to thank his supporters and his six major sponsors, who will all be emblazoned on his trunks when he walks out to the ring this evening.

The show starts at 7.30pm, available for purchase on Sky Arena.