By Jake Donovan
Joseph Parker began his 2016 campaign with a win in January, as well as aspirations of fighting for the title before year's end.
The unbeaten heavyweight from New Zealand will move one step closer to that goal, thanks to good news provided by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) earlier on Wednesday.
The New Jersey (United States)-based sanctioning body sent formal letters of notification to Parker and France's Carlos Takam, informing both boxers of their being the next two highest rated heavyweights and thus, being eligible to fight for a final eliminator.
A lot still has to happen before moving forward with such a bout, however.
"The fight is not set and has not yet been ordered," IBF spokesperson Jeanette Salazar confirmed to BoxingScene.com. "They were notified that they are the leading contenders to fight in (a) final eliminator for the #1 (mandatory ranking)."
The two sides have until end of business day Friday, February 26 to accept such an invitation, at which point a negotiation period will be ordered by the IBF.
Judging by the premature reaction from Parker's team, it's safe to assume the New Zealander is willing to move forward with such marching orders.
"Joseph Parker will fight Carlos Takam for the IBF world title eliminator," Kevin Barry, Parker's trainer announced through social media.
His comments set off immediate buzz as Parker has gained a sizable worldwide following since turning pro in 2012. However, his understanding of the process differed from where things actually stood.
Regardless, Parker's side has already accepted the opportunity and claim that Takam is also on board, although the 35-year old Cameroonian based out of France has yet to formally announce such intentions.
Parker (18-0, 16KOs) has stopped each of his last seven opponents. His most recent win came in January, pummeling journeyman Jason Bergman into submission inside of eight rounds, the deepest he's had to go thus far in order to secure a stoppage win.
Takam (33-2-1, 25KOs) has won three straight following a violent 10th round knockout loss at the hands of top-rated Alexander Povetkin in May '14. The well-traveled heavyweight last fought in November, scoring an eight round decision over veteran steppingstone George Arias in Italy.
Assuming both sides are on board and have begun negotiations, they will have until March 11 to reach a deal or else be subject to a purse bid hearing.
The belief is that is won't come to that, as Parker's handlers confident of securing a springtime fight date in New Zealand.
"We've been waiting three months for this outcome," said Duco Events' Dean Lonergan, Parker's promoter.
Parker and Takam became eligible for such a fight due to being the highest rated available contenders. Ranked ahead of them is Anthony Joshua, the 2008 Olympic Gold medalist for Great Britain and current unbeaten contender who will face newly crowned IBF titlist Charles Martin on April 9 at home in London, England.
Erkan Teper actually owns the highest-rated seed in the IBF rankings, but was passed over due an issued banishment which is currently being contested by his team.
The unbeaten 33-year old from Germany thought he hit the jackpot after a 2nd round knockout win over David Price this past June. However, the result was officially changed to a No-Contest after both his "A" and "B" drug test samples came back positive for a banned substance.
His status remained in limbo just long enough to prevent the IBF from ordering a final eliminator immediately upon the title vacancy being filled. Tyson Fury claimed the belt in a 12-round win over Wladimir Klitschko last November, but was forced to relinquish the belt after a contractually-obligated rematch prevented him from honoring a mandatory title defense versus Vyacheslav Glazkov.
A vacant title fight was held between Glazkov and Martin this past January at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Martin claimed the belt with a 3rd round injury stoppage of Glazkov, vowing to move forward with big fights from here on out.
The unbeaten California-based southpaw backed up those words, as he travels to jolly old England for a dangerous voluntary defense versus Joshua in April.
The winner of that bout will have to then defend versus the Parker vs. Takam victor, although such a bout won't be due until January 2017, as heavyweight titlists are granted a one-year period to honor mandatory title defenses.
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
