Hughie Fury will be at his heaviest fighting weight, piling on muscle to negate Joseph Parker's advantage when they clash for the WBO heavyweight title in Auckland next month.
Fury, over the radical acne condition that has hampered his game but not stopped him fashioning a 20-0 record, has vowed to be in the best condition of his career for his shot at a world title on May 6.
Already having a five centimeters advantage in height and reach, Fury is packing on weight to counter the more physical Parker. Fury usually fights around 104kg while Parker was at 111.5kg for his title win against Andy Ruiz last December.
"Hughie is not ailing anymore. He's in very, very good condition. He's averaging a pound or two a week in added weight so he's going to come in his heaviest but also his leanest. He'll be in fine condition on fight night," his trainer and father Peter Fury told ESPN from their training camp.
The gifted Fury, a former world youth champion, hasn't fought for a year and is certain to arrive in New Zealand with a new look for his biggest moment.
"He's taken on the nutrition now, is responding well to the training and is putting on lean muscle," Peter Fury said.
"Before, his insides were inflamed due to the spots breaking out on his body which caused open wounds and meant his immune system was fighting that. It was very difficult for him to put on muscle and any weight he did put on seemed to be fat. He was carrying a high percentage of body fat and it was a frustrating time. Now that's ended," Peter Fury said.
Peter Fury also expressed his gratitude to New Zealand immigration officials for allowing him entry into the country for the fight, saying it was crucial for his son's chances.
The world title winning trainer won an appeal to get a special visa to enter New Zealand after he was initially denied because of serious drug convictions from his past.
"It [pulling out] wasn't an option we considered. We just said we'd look at it once we knew what was happening with the visa. It's a big fight for Hughie and would have been hard for him not to take it but no decision was made before the outcome of the visa situation," Fury said.
"There was nothing I could do. I've never been to New Zealand before and I don't really know the system there. Everything has gone through with the lawyers - it's gone through the protocol and, fortunately for me, they came up with the right decision. I'm very grateful."
Fury said it would take everything they had to beat Parker and they needed a team approach to try to achieve that, especially fighting in the Kiwi's back yard.
"It's important to go over there as a team. When people stick together, they become powerful. One man by himself is no use. Everyone knows this and we all need help. If you've got good, loyal people around you then it makes life so much easier," Fury told ESPN.
"I'm fortunate we've got a good team. This is how it is and it makes it much easier to get the job done.
"When you're an away fighter, you've got it all to do and you've got to take it off the champion. You don't expect to get a fair, crystal clear decision - you have to go and take it. This is the highlight of his career and it's a mountain to climb. Parker is a good fighter but Hughie is coming fully prepared to take those belts."
Photo: REUTERS (Hughie Fury will come to New Zealand with a different body shape to his last fight against Fred Kassi a year ago).