By Jake Donovan

The competition level isn’t quite there, but Andy Ruiz otherwise feels as prepared as possible ahead of his vacant title fight showdown versus Joseph Parker this Saturday in Auckland, New Zealand. The 27-year old Mexican-American heavyweight from California touched down in Auckland on Sunday morning, well-rested and eager to get through fight week.

“I feel really good. I slept pretty good (on the flight) and am just ready for December 10,” Ruiz (29-0, 19KOs) said upon deplaning Sunday.

The majority of Ruiz’s career has taken place on the U.S. West Coast, including nine in his home state of California. This coming Saturday will mark his first title fight and also the first time he’s truly conceding hometown advantage, with Parker a sizeable draw in the land down under.

Despite the perception of marching into hostile territory on fight night, Ruiz was already in good spirits, immediately bonding with the locals.

“I’ve been to Macau, China (two pro fights in 2013) and Beijing. I like to travel; this ain’t my first rodeo,” Ruiz assured the local press. “The time difference is greater when I went over there (to China). It won’t be a factor in this fight.

“Fighters are prepared to fight. We’re here to do what we have to do (to win) in New Zealand.”

Ruiz will be joined by new trainer Abel Sanchez – who had a busy weekend with Denis Shafikov and Murat Gassiev posting career-best wins in Russa – on Tuesday. The week or so of necessary separation comes after the most crucial portion of training camp was conducted in Big Bear.

Weight has always been a concern for Ruiz, who has checked in as heavy as 290 lbs. for past fights (and even heavier entering training camp), but his past five fights have been conducted in the more desirable 245-255 pound range. The expectation is to weigh in the low 250’s, with past bulk converted into muscle as he appears healthier and physically stronger.

“I think I'm going to be 250, strong and with a lot of endurance,” Ruiz believes. “We didn't want to lose too much weight and lose strength. We wanted to be firm and strong for this fight.”

It will be a far cry from the last time these two have met. Parker (21-0, 18KOs) and Ruiz previously sparred together while both were training in Las Vegas during the same time period some three years ago. Parker has since emerged as a top heavyweight contender, as exhibited in wins over Carlos Takam (12-round unanimous decision in May) and most recently Alexander Dimitrenko (3rd round knockout in October).

Ruiz’ level of opposition leaves a bit to be desired, but managed much needed in-ring activity over the past few months.

The squat heavyweight fought three times in a four-month stretch from May to September after having sat out for more than six months while wrestling with personal demons. A virtual shutout of Franklin Lawrence in September came with the suggestion that his next fight could be for a vacant title, given the follies of fallen lineal champion Tyson Fury. That became a reality when the hulking Brit relinquished all of his remaining alphabet hardware while battling drug and alcohol addiction and overcoming mental instability.

Several heavyweights were lobbying for a shot at the vacant belts, but in the end it was Ruiz and Parker given a chance to show each other just how much they’ve improved since their last gym session. History will be made as long as a winner comes of the night – Parker looking to become the first-ever New Zealand-born boxer to win a heavyweight belt, while Ruiz is a win away from being the first of Mexican descent to accomplish the feat – which only serves as deeper motivation to reveal far more than came of their sparring sessions once upon a time.

“We sparred together 2-3 years ago. He knows a little something about me and I know a little something about him,” Ruiz notes, but with the disclaimer of both being completely different fighters in 2016. “Three years is a long time away. He learned from his mistakes, but I was 290 lbs. at the time.

“The fight can go either way, but I believe I’m going to win. It's a life and death fight. I'm going to die trying to get that belt and God-willing I'm going to win it.”

Twitter: @JakeNDaBox_v2