Isaac Munoz is out to prove his worth against Jermaine Franklin on Saturday.
The pair will meet on the Alycia Baumgardner vs. Christina Linardatou undercard, live on DAZN, with Munoz a late replacement for veteran Junior Anthony Wright.
But Munoz (17-0-1, 14 KOs) insists he's not just there to make up the numbers, and he points to his vast amateur experience as one reason for Franklin (21-2, 14 KOs) to not overlook his new opponent.
"It’s an honour for me to step in the ring with Jermaine," Munoz said on Thursday. "I have a lot of experience with 203 amateur fights, so I think I belong in this place."
Saturday will be Munoz's first professional fight outside of his native Mexico, with the undefeated 31-year-old expressing his pleasure in travelling to face a fighter outside his homeland.
"It is very difficult to find a heavyweight [opponent] in Mexico, but I am very happy to be in Detroit and I think it’s going to be a great fight," he said.