Vasyl Lomachenko will need to demonstrate plenty of patience when he squares off against Cuban tactician Guillermo Rigondeaux in a world title showdown between two multiple Olympic gold medal winners on Saturday.
The 29-year-old Lomachenko (9-1, 7 KOs) will defend his World Boxing Organization junior lightweight belt against the unbeaten Rigondeaux (17-0, 11 KOs) when they meet at Madison Square Garden Theater.
It is the first time two-time Olympic gold medal winners will fight each other.
"It's going to be a great fight and it's going to be a great historical fight that fans will forever look back on," Rigondeaux said.
Lomachenko will have the size advantage, as the counterpuncher Rigondeaux will be moving up two weight classes for the 12-round fight.
Lomachenko lost his second pro fight to veteran Orlando Salido but then won a world title in his next bout by beating Gary Russell. He became a two division champion by moving up in weight in just his seventh fight to beat Roman Martinez.
A product of Cuba's storied amateur programme, Rigondeaux won more than 450 amateur fights and like his opponent is a two-time Olympic gold medallist having won gold in 2000 and 2004.
He is a champion at 122 pounds, but will be moving up eight pounds to take on Lomachenko.
"I went up to 130 because it was the only way I could get this fight made," Rigondeaux said. "I would rather it have been at a lower weight, but I want to show the world that I can do it by moving up two weight classes."
Since turning pro in 2009 his biggest fight so far was a dismantling of Nonito Donaire in 2013.
His last fight, against Moises Flores, was ruled a no contest after he inadvertently landed a fight-ending punch after the bell as part of the Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev HBO Pay-Per-View undercard in June from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.