Bell came face to face with his opponent Hopoate, who also represented Australia in rugby league on two occasions, for the first time recently and despite being impressed with the condition his rival is in, still believes he will win the fight.

“Now that I’ve seen who I will be taking on, it’s going to make me train even harder,” Bell said. 

“So far, training has been fantastic and I feel like I'm ready to get in the ring anytime now.

“I'm still big but there's also been a lot of large guys as world heavyweight champions.

“I like to call my size my camouflage because the last thing you'd be expecting from a guy my size is speed and technique.

“I feel like I can beat anyone in the country in my division at present, including Hopoate.”

After two years in the making, Bell is itching to finally get the chance to Hopoate on Friday, November 24 at the Dunn Lewis Centre.

“I said it at the start, the fight means too much to me and so little to him – a victory by me is inevitable,” Bell said.

“I’ve watched all of Hopoate’s fight videos and I already know what he is going to do before he does it.

“I'm a Mack truck with a Ferrari engine and he's a washed up old rust bucket  – he's gonna get knocked-out when he steps in the ring with ‘The King’.

“The satisfaction of celebrating with all the people that have been behind me will be just as good as laughing in the faces of those who doubted me.”

Bell admitted he believes the fight is a foregone conclusion, which Hopoate agreed with – just they differ on who is going to be the victor.

“I don’t think it’s going to go more than one round,” Hopoate said.

“I believe I’m just going to walk straight through him – he doesn’t rate compared to anyone I’ve ever fought.

“Despite that, my preparation has been the same, training hard everyday because in heavy weights, all it takes is one punch for you to be knocked out.”

While Hopoate is firmly in Bell’s sights, he sees this as a stepping stone to bigger things in the sport of boxing.

“I don't think people realise how massive this fight is for the community,” he said.

“They have a local guy taking on one of Australia's best ever boxers

“When I win, it'll change the complexion of the area forever, as it never ends for me cause there's always a next level.”

Bell will need to be at this best to beat Hopoate.

The former league star likes to win by knockouts and in his first pro-bout in 2006 be beat Frank "The Big Ship" Faasolo in 47 seconds.

Tickets available via phone on 4454 1099.