By Chris Barclay

Bryan Barry watched Joseph Parker's first fight in Christchurch, and although a similar demolition job is expected during his return visit to the rebuilding city, in some ways New Zealand's premier boxer is unrecognisable.

Barry and long-term trainer Phil Shatford promoted a fight night at the Hornby Workingmen's Club in February, 2013 and Parker swiftly made an impression, stopping Dontay Pati inside the opening round.

Three years later Parker, 24, is waiting to challenge IBF champion Anthony Joshua - the first heavyweight title fight for a New Zealander since David Tua was out-pointed by Lennox Lewis in 2000.

Barry, the brother of trainer Kevin Barry, was in Tua's corner at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino that frustrating night and he also in close proximity as Parker's career develops.

Parker teamed up with Kevin Barry after the Pati mismatch and has extended his record to 19 [16 KO], an unbeaten sequence that should continue when he fights Solomon Haumono in the main event at Horncastle Arena on Thursday.

"It's night and day," said Bryan Barry, when asked to compare Parker then, to now.

"Back then he was a raw, young guy who had a wee bit of ability. He wasn't doing things right …. he was still fighting like an amateur, even though he was early in his pro career."

Parker, from Barry's perspective, is now a more complete fighter, one with greater ringcraft, punching power and patience.

Crucially he is still also blessed with a thick skin, meaning Barry has been virtually redundant as a cut man since working overtime between the first and second rounds when Parker fought Afa Tatupu for the New Zealand heavyweight title in October, 2013.

An accidental head butt opened up a deep gash above Parker's left eye that could have seen the fight declared a no contest had he not stopped Tatupu with a barrage of blows in the next round.

"It was a horrible, horrible cut. You could actually see the bone. We only had one round [to beat Tatupu]. The ref said 'you got one round' and we knocked Afa out."

Fortunately the wound healed and has not been problematic in Parker's dozen subsequent fights.

None of Parker's opponents have threatened to draw new blood either, with the exception of Carlos Takam, who went the distance in their IBF eliminator in Auckland in May.

Beating the rugged French Cameroonian sets up a massive bout with Joshua in London, though Haumono is the focus Parker surrenders his mandatory position if he loses to the Auckland-born No 12-ranked heavyweight with the WBA.

"The importance of this fight going forward is huge. If we lose the fight …. we can't even think about that."

The six-bout event was also vital for the Christchurch boxing community, although an unfortunate clash with the New Zealand amateur championships mean several local fighters will be in Rotorua.

"The one's that are here are amped for it. It's great for boxing. It's great for young kids to see someone like Joe," Barry said.

Shatford, who is preparing unbeaten Christchurch-based national welterweight champion Bowyn Morgan for his eighth pro fight against Australian Kris George [10-1], said Parker's presence ensured the fight night was the most significant in Christchurch since retired heavyweight Shane Cameron fought there three times between 2003-08.

"I'm picking this will be even bigger. Joseph is close to fighting for a world title. Shane Cameron got reasonably close, though not half as close as Parker is going to get," he said.