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Unbeaten cruiserweight prospect David Nyika is embracing his headline status ahead of an Auckland date with late call-up, American veteran Tommy Karpency.

Parachuted in on a week's notice, Tommy Karpency thinks David Nyika may have bitten off more than he can chew after the New Zealand favourite described him as "another beef sandwich".

The pair headlines Saturday's Auckland card at Viaduct Events Centre, Queensland-based Olympic bronze medallist Nyika's (9-0) first main act in a 10-round WBO and IBF-sanctioned cruiserweight slog.

It's been dubbed Nyika's road to the title, the 29-year-old based in rural Gatton optimistic a shot at a belt is now only a handful of fights away.

Pennsylvanian Karpency (31-8-1), 38, took the fight on a week's notice and fresh off a career-extending victory of his own after Blake Caparello failed a drug test.

"Huge hands, those are proper meat cleavers," Nyika said of his first impressions of the American, who only arrived in Auckland on Thursday night.

"He's a seasoned veteran and you can literally see it in the calcification of his hands, but he's just another beef sandwich and Dave's gotta eat."

But Karpency has fought and won on short notice before.

"I always try to keep myself in great shape ... when this opportunity arose we went for it," he said.

"I've had a lot of opportunities come my way. I'm here to win. He's a great amateur but inexperienced professional and I'm loose as can be."

Sandwiches aside, Nyika won't take Karpency lightly.

He remembers well flashing back to his amateur days as evidence the hit-and-run method can work.

"I've been overseas with the New Zealand boxing team, turning up the day of the fight and come in steaming and often we did well early before the adrenaline wears off," he told AAP.

Three-weight world champion Danny Green, who held the IBO cruiserweight title twice, will be a keen observer.

"David's a class act ... he's a superstar in the making but Tommy, I've got a lot of respect for the guy," he said.

"They're essential to the sport - tough, hard men with no fear who'll show up at any time.

"Dave's had to adjust his whole game plan. He'll give him a lot of trouble early (before) David picks him apart."

Fighting on the undercard in his third professional appearance, 18-year-old heavyweight Alex Leapai Jnr also impressed at Friday's pre-fight press conference and weigh-in.

"Growing up I was a rugby league fanatic," Leapai, the son of former heavyweight world title challenger Alex Leapai Snr, said before weighing in at 124kg.

"NRL was my dream but I've put it aside to chase world titles. I chose this on my own self and I've got the best team around me."

Leapai will face Manusiu Fe'ao in one of nine fights on the card.