NZ heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker is set to face his Brazilian opponent this Friday at the KFC Fight For Life event being held in Hamilton.
Today Irineu Beato Costa Jnr held his first media session ringside at Les Mills in Auckland's CBD.
Costa Jnr is quick on his feet and has 110kg behind his punch. He also presents as a man of few words.
When asked what he has over Parker for the upcoming fight, he replies, “Im stronger then him.”
The Sao Paulo native has just arrived from Brazil and his Portuguese translator says he has a secret weapon that can't be revealed until fight night.
Costa Jnr says, “I can’t explain what the plan is but what I can say is that I’m going to punch really hard to hurt him.”
Although it's his first time in New Zealand, he showed off his tattoos that he inked back in Brazil which look similar to Maori designs.
“Although I’ve been training in Brazil, I know the big fights are overseas so I’m very much prepared,” says Costa Jnr.
Of his 11 knock-outs, all have been in the first two rounds. Costa Jnr says Parker is the perfect opponent.
“I think Parker is one on the best at the moment, he's ranked really well in the work and his speed is amazing.”
Costa Jnr's and Parker's weigh in is on Friday ahead of The Fight for Life in Hamilton on Saturday.