By Adrian Warren

Highly rated New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker is wary of the crushing right hand of Australian-based boxer Kali Meehan, as they both prepare to fight in their city of birth.

Meehan 45, has won all nine professional fights he has had in Auckland, where Parker and himself collide in front of a big crowd on Thursday night at Trusts Arena.

That unblemished record faces its biggest test, with the NSW central coast-based fighter starting as underdog in a fight for five regional titles.

The promotion will also feature unbeaten Queensland world-ranked welterweight Jeff Horn (11-0-1, 8 KOs) fighting Argentina's Alfredo Blanco (15-3, 8 KOs) for four regional belts.

At Thursday's weigh-in, Meehan tipped the scales at 110.6kg with Parker coming in at 107kg.

Parker is rated sixth by the WBO, 13th by the WBA and 14th by the WBC.

Former world title contender Meehan (42-5, 32 KOs) has faced a much-better standard of opposition than Parker (15-0, 13 KOs), with three of his losses coming against past or present world champions.

Parker, 23, has seen enough of Meehan to know which punch presents the most danger.

"He's got a big right hand and, with his right hand, there definitely is power," Parker said.

"We've just got to be wary and be smart in the first few rounds. I'm sure he's going to come out solid."

Renowned for his mobility, Parker makes no secret of the fact he intends to use his speed and movement to negate Meehan's height and reach advantages.

"I've got good movement on him and good speed so that's what I'm going to try and do - use the positive things that I have," Parker said.

"With his height, I've got to try my best to try and get in there and throw the punches I need to throw at the right time and, hopefully, I can catch him with something good."

Meehan admits it won't be easy to counter Parker's speed.

"I'll try and establish my distance, establish my shots and I have to use my experience to my advantage," Meehan said.

"I believe I've got the fitness behind me to do that."

Meehan's son and former Sydney Roosters rugby league player Willis (3-0, 2 KOS) will be in his corner after appearing on the undercard in a heavyweight fight against Leamy Tato (1-3, 1 KO).

Horn is hoping a win over Blanco, who has never been stopped, will boost his ratings of seventh (WBO), 12th (IBF) and 13th (WBA).

The Australian holds WBO, IBF and PABA regional titles and will be fighting for an interim WBA Oceania title.

"He (Blanco) looks a strong guy and I expect him to be tough but, as far as skill goes, I believe Jeff will be far too skilful," Horn's trainer Glenn Rushton said.

Horn weighed in at 66.45 and Blanco 66.50kg.