Joseph Parker vs Carlos Takam in IBF title eliminator on May 21
Joseph Parker (18-0, 16 KOs) will fight Carlos Takam (33-2-1, 25 KOs) on May 21 in an IBF heavyweight title eliminator at the Vodafone Events Centre in Auckland, New Zealand.
The winner will become the mandatory challenger against the winner of the April 9 fight between British contender Anthony Joshua and IBF champion Charles Martin.
"Parker versus Takam on May 21 will be undoubtedly the most significant boxing event ever staged in New Zealand," said promoter Dean Lonergan.
The fight will be taking place in the 24-year-old Parker’s hometown, which he believes will help him get past the more experienced 35-year-old Takam.
"I've grown up there my whole life and it's a great opportunity for me to showcase my growing skills in front of my supporters, who have been there from the start. I wouldn't want to have this fight anywhere else. It's given me the extra motivation to train harder," said the unbeaten Kiwi.
Parker is considered one of boxing's best heavyweight prospects and has knocked out his last seven opponents. But since he turned pro in 2012, he has only faced weak opposition and he is stepping up in competition against Takam, a native of Cameroon who fights out of France.
In 2014, Takam outpointed Tony Thompson and fought to a draw against Mike Perez, although many boxing fans felt that Takam had done enough to deserve the win. He was then knocked out by Alexander Povetkin in the 10th round but has since won his last three fights.
The winner of the Joshua-Martin fight has until January 16 2017 to fight the Parker-Takam winner.