New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker will take on France-based fighter Carlos Takam at the Manukau Events Centre in May with the winner to receive a shot a world title.
New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The location and details of of the IBF eliminator fight were confirmed this morning.
Parker's team choose Manukau over downtown Auckland's Vector Arena as they're keen to ensure the South Aucklander is comfortable in his surroundings for the fight, from which the winner will get a mandatory challenge for the IBF world heavyweight title
Parker has fought two of his 18 professional fights at the Manukau venue, winning both by knockout.
There is a lot on the line for both Parker and Takam; the winner of the May fight will get a mandatory challenge against the IBF champion, to be fought before January 16 next year.
American Charles Martin is the current champion and faces a challenge from British London Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua in London next month.
The winner of that fight will have to take on either Parker or Takam before January 17, 2017.
Takam is a 35-year-old Cameroon-born fighter who is based in France.
His promoters wanted him to fight Parker in Paris but Parker's promoters Duco Events came up with the better package to secure a New Zealand venue.
The purse for the fight will be a New zealand record, in excess of $1 million.
-RNZ