Carlos Takam's Promoter Predicts Knockout of Joseph Parker

By Duncan Johnstone

Carlos Takam's camp are talking tough, predicting a knockout loss for Joseph Parker in the IBF heavyweight eliminator.

Details for the Auckland fight on May 21 were to be confirmed at a media conference on Wednesday.

But Takam's promoter Christian Cherchi got in an early jab in what will undoubtedly be a lively war of words given what is at stake.

Carlos Takam has 26 knockout victories and his camp are predicting Joseph Parker will be beaten in the same manner.

The winner of this fight earns the right to take on either Charles Martin or Anthony Joshua for the world title.

American Martin defends the title against British challenger Joshua in London next month.

Either Parker or Takam will then be the mandatory challenger.

"It will be a good challenge for Parker. I think Carlos Takam can knock Joseph Parker out," was the bold forecast from Cherchi, speaking from Milan in Italy where he is based.

Parker hasn't been on the canvas let alone knocked out in an 18 fight unbeaten career as a professional.

Takam, the 35-year-old French-based Cameroon fighter, is currently training in Paris. He is ranked No 5 by the IBF, one place ahead of Parker and clearly has punching power. Takam has 35 wins – 26 via knockouts – a draw and two losses in his record.

He is ranked inside the top 15 by three of the four major organisations.

Cherchi confirmed had tried to have the fight against Parker take place in Paris but in the end the deal put up by Parker's promoters Duco Events, proved irresistible.

The fight will feature a New Zealand record purse of more than $1m and Parker should revel in his home environment where he has won 14 of his fights.

"We tried to have this fight in Paris. New Zealand is an advantage for Parker," Cherchi conceded.