Andy Ruiz admits that he's motivated by the success of WBC, WBA, IBF middleweight champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez.
Ruiz, who was ringside for Canelo's recent twelve round decision win over Danie Jacobs earlier this month, wants to achieve the same type of accomplishment as his countryman.
Canelo is like a rock star in Mexico and arguably the biggest name in the entire sport.
Ruiz gets his chance to achieve greatness on Saturday night, when he faces WBA, WBO, IBF, IBO world champion Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Ruiz, who only a few weeks ago came in as a late replacement for Jarrell Miller, is a very big underdog in the contest.
"I didn't think I would come to this level. A lot of people doubted me," Ruiz said to Sky Sports. "They said: 'this chubby kid won't do nothing, he's not in shape'. But I kept pursuing my dream, I kept training hard, and put all the negative stuff to the side. I believed in myself.
"Everybody has been underestimating me since day one, and that gives me extra motivation to work harder. Yes, we need to work harder on the body. But it doesn't make you a great fighter, having a six-pack. What makes a great fighter is having heart and throwing punches. It's what's on the inside. It's passion and courage to fulfil my dreams and accomplish my goal of becoming the first Mexican heavyweight champion of the world.
"Being at the Canelo fight was a motivation, it was excitement. I want to be the Canelo of the heavyweight division. There has never been a Mexican heavyweight star. It's unusual but God gave me this talent so I'm here to shock the world, and to get the upset."