Mexican heavyweight boxer Andy Ruiz Jr in Auckland ahead of Joseph Parker fight

Andy Ruiz Jr, the man standing between Joseph Parker and a heavyweight world title, has arrived to a uniquely New Zealand welcome this morning.

As Ruiz Jr walked into the international arrivals area at Auckland airport, one of his entourage shouted, "the champ is here". But for the next 15 minutes Ruiz Jr watched and listened intently as a kapa haka group gave an intense powhiri, a welcome which attracted the attention of many others in the airport.

The Mexican will fight Parker for the WBO heavyweight belt at Vector Arena on Saturday. Ruiz Jr, wearing an All Blacks jersey given to him by a fan at Los Angeles airport, held his pohutukawa flower offering and responded with handshakes and hongi afterwards.

"It was pretty cool and I kind of enjoyed it," said Ruiz Jr, who arrived with his mother and father and several others.

"Every culture and every country has their own thing; I appreciated what they were doing and I enjoyed it.

"It's the opportunity of a lifetime. I've been training my ass off for this fight. Me and Joseph Parker are going to give out a good fight, there are going to be a lot of fireworks on December 10. I'm ready to rock and roll."

A significant absentee from Ruiz Jr's entourage was his trainer Abel Sanchez, who is in Moscow for a world title fight with his cruiserweight Murat Gassiev.

Sanchez, who has been training Ruiz Jr at his Big Bear Lake, California base, is expected to arrive in Auckland on Wednesday, but Ruiz Jr said his absence wouldn't harm his preparation. He also didn't believe arriving only six days before the fight would hurt his chances.

"I've done this three times when I went to China and the time difference is more different there. I don't think this affects me in any way.

"There has never been a Mexican heavyweight champion of the world and, God willing, I'm going to be the first one. I'm going to accomplish my dreams.

"Parker is a good fighter - big, with speed just like me. We both have the same advantage except he's a little bit taller. We sparred two or three years ago so he knows a little something about me and I know a little something about him. The fight could go either way.

"I see in my head that it's a life or death fight. I'm going to die trying to get that belt, and God willing on my side, we're going to get it."

Ruiz Jr said a fellow passenger gave him his All Blacks jersey - the team's new alternate strip which they wore recently against France in Paris.

"He said it was a new one so I appreciate that."