It may be a new year but Joseph Parker is still very much feeling the effects of a long 2015 as he prepares for his maiden southpaw test in Samoa next week.
The 'Rumble in Paradise' against American Jason Bergman will be Parker's sixth fight in the last 10 months and the busy schedule is catching up with him.
Niggling lower back and elbow injuries have hampered what was already a shorter-than-usual four-week training camp in Las Vegas.
And while organisers insist there's no chance of the January 23 bout in Apia not going ahead, Parker admits it's going to be a challenge both physically and mentally to push through the pain barrier.
"You're sort of a bit scared to throw your hand when you know there's injuries. You don't really want to throw it and I'm sort of holding back in what I can actually do in the ring," said Parker, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Saturday.
"It sort of plays a few tricks on your mind. With the back as well you can't really sit down on your punches and give it the full power that you can give.
"Even though we have injuries and niggles we are 100 per cent prepared."
With none of Parker's last five bouts going past the fourth round, his fatigue is more a result of several gruelling training camps that have pushed his body to the limit.
Trainer Kevin Barry says he has demanded plenty of Parker over the last year and is due for a well-earned break - but not before hopefully extending his perfect 17-0 record with victory against Bergman.
"This fight in Samoa for me is just a continuation of 2015," Barry said.
"Six fights in 10 months is a lot to ask for a young guy. Ok, some of the fights have been short - most of them have been short - we've had a lot of good knockouts in 2015. But what you need to remember is that we've sparred over 375 rounds in the gym over the last year."
The last have those rounds have been frustrating for Barry as Parker has struggled to get to grips with the southpaw style.
The biggest adjustment he has had to make is constantly moving to his left, away from an opponent's power hand.
That's something which hasn't come naturally to him.
"Joe's probably been hit more with this sparring partner than any other sparring partner over the last couple of years," Barry added. "So it's definitely going to be a challenge for us fighting a southpaw but a challenge that Joe's up for."
Bergman's record stands at 25-11-2 but he comes into the bout in fine form having won 16 of his last 18 fights.
He's also had the luxury of being a sparring partner for WBC champion Deontay Wilder ahead of his title defence against Artur Szpilka this weekend.
But Barry is confident he's the right opponent for Parker at this stage of his career.
"[Bergman's] a very durable, capable guy and I'm sure he gave Wilder good work. Wilder's a lot taller than Joe so Joe's height definitely won't bother him. And Wilder's got fast hands but he hasn't got the speed that Joseph Parker has."