Joseph Parker broadcasted a clear message to Anthony Joshua by destroying Alexander Dimitrenko inside three rounds.
The heavy-handed New Zealander (21-0-KO18) is mandatory challenger to the IBF world heavyweight title held by Joshua (17-0-KO17) and was in ruthless form in Manukau City.
In Dimitrenko (38-3-KO24), Parker faced an experienced Russian boxing out of Germany who had only been stopped once; an 11th-round defeat to European champion Kubrat Pulev in 2012.
An expectant Kiwi crowd packed the Vodafone Events Centre to see their boxing hero, while Anthony Joshua and his promoter Eddie Hearn kept tabs on events from back in Europe. Wladimir Klitschko may also have been an interested spectator.
Could Parker retain his reputation as one of the most serious threats in the sport's marquee division? Or would Dimitrenko dampen the hype by frustrating the home fighter with clever use of his giant 6'7" frame?
Click on the video to watch how Parker dealt with the next step on his journey towards a world title shot