It's been nearly 30 years since a teenage Kali Meehan stumbled into a West Auckland boxing gym to learn the sweet science.
At the time, Meehan was simply taking part in boxing to keep out of trouble, while his mates managed to find it.
But after nearly two decades asa pro, Meehan knows the end is in sight.
It looked as if he was done a couple of years ago when he lost to Travis Walker. But he ended his dormancy with victory in June's inaugural Super 8 tournament in Auckland. Ironically, Meehan (41-5) left New Zealand as a 28-year-old and travelled the world to box but his biggest payday came in his home city nearly two decades after moving to Australia.
The next chapter in 44-year-old Meehan's book comes on Saturday night when he meets Shane Cameron in a bout that will probably spell the end of the line for the loser. The winner takes the vacant WBA Oceania heavyweight title.
Their bout is the headline attraction alongside the cruiserweight tournament. Kiwi cruiserweight David Aloua will also meet Australian Anthony McCracken.
Meehan said this fight was about securing his legacy alongside David Tua as New Zealand's best heavyweight.
Cameron (29-4) has confirmed he won't continue in the sport if he loses at the North Shore Events Centre.
"I've always dedicated every fight to somewhere; it gives me motivation when I train," Meehan said. "And, this fight here I'm dedicating to Avondale."
You can sense Meehan needed that Super 8 victory. The $200,000 winner's purse was nice: "Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick," he grinned. But, better, he proved he had made something of himself: "It was good for everyone to see it; my family and friends. It was awesome."
How good was Meehan? He fought for the WBO title in 2004 and lost a split decision to American Lamon Brewster. He spent 2008-2009 as the WBA No1 contender but never got a shot at 2.13m Russian Nikolai Valuev.
Willis, the middle of Meehan's three boys, has played a game for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL and at 19 will fight on this weekend's undercard against Will Quarrie in his pro boxing debut.
If Meehan doesn't stay active in the fight game, he says he will be there to provide advice for Willis.
