By Clay Wilson

Just how good is Kiwi heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker? That will be known after his next fight, says trainer Kevin Barry.

France-based 35-year-old Cameroon fighter Carlos Takam was confirmed on Thursday as Parker's next opponent.

With IBF world champion Charles Martin, of America, defending his belt against highly-touted Englishman Anthony Joshua in London on April 9, the IBF advised Parker's and Takam's camps via email they are the next highest ranked available contenders in the division.

In a contest which will determine the IBF's mandatory title challenger, the pairs' managers have confirmed they are willing to negotiate terms for the fight, including a date and location.

Takam has a record of 33 wins, two losses and a draw and is ranked No 5 by the IBF and WBC and No 6 by the WBO.

Carlos Takam has a worthy record and represents a major step up in opposition for rising New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker.

Barry is not underestimating the challenge Takam presents Parker with.

"This is one very mean, very physical, very powerful fighter," Barry said.

"I've studied a lot of tape on him. He is a very big strong guy who is going to be one hell of a test for Joe ... this is the fight that we'll find out just how much Joseph Parker has learned in the last three years.

"We've worked very hard as a team for the last three years to get in this position. It is a testament to Joe's hard work over those last three years moving his way up the rankings."

The bout represents a significant step up from any of the previous 18 professional opponents that unbeaten 24-year-old Parker has dispatched thus far.

Barry admitted it was "unreal" for a fighter with Parker's experience to be in his position, but was adamant his young charge was ready for a boxer of Takam's calibre.

It was a sentiment whole-heartedly backed-up by Parker himself.

"Bring it on," the south Auckland product said. "We are ready for this, we are 100 percent ready. I was born for this.

"This next fight is going to get us that much closer to achieving that goal and fulfilling the dream I had when I was a young boy."

Parker's and Takam's camps have until March 11 to agree to terms. If they can't the IBF will offer a purse bid where the mandatory challenge goes to the highest bidder.

Assuming they do clash, the winner would be entitled to a title challenge before January 9 next year if Joshua claims the belt and January 16 if Martin defends it.

Duco boss Dean Lonergan confirmed they had been involved in discussions with Takam's management previously and felt they were "incredibly professional".

A date in May has been mooted by Duco, while Auckland, Christchurch and Invercargill are potential Kiwi host venues.

Lonergan said it was their preference to have the fight in New Zealand, but stressed that was not guaranteed.

"We are only one side of the negotiation. Boxing is a global sport," he said.

"These guys are based in France ... if they put huge money on the table and it makes sense to go to France, we will go to France.

"We'd much prefer Carlos Takam comes down here, but it will come down to TV deals, sponsorship and how much the NZ public want it in terms of will they attend."

If Parker is successful, Barry said they would continue the trend of staying busy and wanted up to three more fights this year, learning from a mistake made by other mandatory challengers.

The final steps to world title glory are in place, now it is just a matter of climbing them.

"We are going to make sure that when that opportunity arises for Joe he is prepared and ready, but we have to get past Carlos Takam first," Barry said.

"This is going to be a really big ask."