By Duncan Johnstone

Coach Kevin Barry is expecting ''a terrific performance'' from Joseph Parker next week, declaring the Kiwi heavyweight boxer has taken his training regime to new levels.

Parker and Barry have arrived from their Las Vegas base and are tapering off the 22-year-old's work for next Thursday night's clash with Bahamas battler Sherman Williams in west Auckland.

It's Parker's first home fight since knocking out Brian Minto in early July and a subsequent demolition of  another American, Keith Thompson, in the United States has taken his unbeaten record to 10 victories (nine by KO).

''I'm really happy with where Joe is at the moment. Before we left he was really on fire in the gym. I'm expecting a terrific performance ... Joe is jumping out of his skin.,'' Barry declared as they completed a workout in Auckland.

''We've had a great camp. Joe's just getting better and better and he's showing me more every time we go into training camp.

''He's trained hard, he's well-conditioned, he's getting bigger and stronger.''

Barry said the pay-off for Parker's discipline with his fitness work was an ability to keep chipping away at increasing his fighting skills.

''They're going up a notch every time. I'm just continually developing and improving on his skill levels,'' Barry said.

''These skills are going to be paramount as we continue to move up the rankings and look to fight a top 10 guy next year.''

Barry sees the durable Williams as an ideal opponent for this stage of Parker's career.

The two had been lined up to fight in Germany in May but that fell over when Williams was dismissed from world champion Wladimir Klitschko's training camp.

The 42-year-old Williams is delighted to finally have a crack at Parker and the feeling is mutual in the Kiwi camp.

''We have put a guy like Sherman in front of Joe because he's the sort of guy that will continue to test Joe's character and discipline,'' Barry said of Williams who has fashioned a worthy professional record of 36 wins, 2 draws and 13 losses since 1997.

The relevant statistic is that he has only been knocked out once.

''I want these sort of challenges because they will produce continued improvement in Joe. I expect Sherman to put him under pressure.

''It's very, very important that he stays focused, especially with Sherman who is an experienced guy and a very durable guy.

''It's important that Joe shows the maturity and discipline to take charge of this fight and out-box Sherman.''