Zappavigna's original opponent pulled out of the fight at short notice but he will take on Ecuador-born boxer Fernando Angulo.

Promoters have the 22-year-old on the billing as ``Lenny Zappa'', but Zappavigna is also comfortable with the tag ``Lionheart Lenny'', which the Advertiser bestowed on him in articles.

If Zappavigna fulfils his potential, he will have earned the right to challenge for a WBC belt and for his name to be mentioned in the same breath as Australian boxing greats Lionel Rose, Jeff Fenech and others.

Although the bout is scheduled for 12 rounds, Zappavigna is hoping his barrage of explosive punches ends the fight early.

``I hope to shock him in the first round with my power, keep the pressure on then hopefully knock them down,'' he said.

``I'm pretty good at adapting if I have to during a fight.

``I can brawl, but I can box too, so I just adapt to the situation I'm in at the time.''

Fighting under the guidance of trainer Tommy Mercuri at Westside Boxing, Leppington, Zappavigna approaches the fight at peak fitness.

Sparring sessions with Lovemore Ndu, Vic Darchinyan and Ryan Waters have prepared the young boxer well.

Words such as surrender and backing off are not part of Zappavigna's vocabulary.

``I've become a bit more smarter in my style of fighting,'' he said. I do think about getting caught, but I'm smart about it and just try to keep the pressure on.''

Mercuri said his boxer's training had intensified over recent weeks.

``We've done a lot of pad and bag work and he's done a bit of strength and cardio and fitness work with conditioner Ray Kelly over at Blacktown,'' he said.

``Lenny fights with the same attitude all the time; if your super fit and mentally fit you can walk through people.

``I'm confident he will win,'' Mercuri said.