The enormous Belarusian, who stands 2.02m and weighs 136kg, is the next in line for fading New Zealand heavyweight boxer David Tua whom he will fight against at the Claudelands Events Centre in Hamilton on August 31.
Ustinov was in Hamilton today on the latest stop of a whirlwind tour from Whangarei to Invercargill where he dwarfed injured Chiefs' player Tim Nanai-Williams whom he posed for photographs with before a light workout on the focus mitts with his trainer.
Through an interpreter he said he was enjoying the New Zealand winter which he described as "laughable" as the coldest months in his country could plunge to minus 20degC at times.
The former mixed martial artist and muay thai fighter went for a swim at Takapuna Beach not long after arriving, and is planning on another dip when he visits Hastings.
An affable Ustinov said Tua was an experienced and strong fighter and it was a privilege to be fighting him.
But he had no qualms about possibly ending Tua's career.
"For both of us if we win it we move closer to the top, and either of us might get a chance to fight against the Klitschkos," he said.
"But my height is my advantage as well as my reach. I may be a bit younger than David too."
Ustinov, who has lost just once in his 28 professional boxing bouts, will be based in Auckland for his training for the fight, which starts next week.
- By James Ihaka of the NZ Herald
