By Jake Donovan

May 21 has officially become the night of the heavyweight.

The latest event added to the mix is a terrific matchup in the form of a semifinal title elimination bout. Rising unbeaten contender Joseph Parker and veteran Carlos Takam will square off May 21 in Parker's hometown of Auckland, New Zealand.

The two sides agreed to terms late Monday evening after having previously requested an extension on – and ultimately a cancellation of – a purse bid hearing that was previously scheduled to take place last Thursday at International Boxing Federation (IBF) headquarters in Springfield, New Jersey.

“Full details are to come (Wednesday), but yes we are pleased to confirm the fight is a done deal,” Craig Stanaway, director of talent relations for DUCO Events, Parker’s promoter confirmed to BoxingScene.com. “The fight will take place May 21 in Auckland, New Zealand.”

A press conference to announce the show is slated to take place in country on Wednesday. Once officially presented, it will join a loaded evening of heavyweight action around the world. Already set for the date, unbeaten World Boxing Council (WBC) champ Deontay Wilder travels to Moscow to face mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin; and former cruiserweight king and heavyweight titlist David Haye against Arnold Gjergjaj at home in England.

The Parker vs. Takam clash will mark the first step in declaring a mandatory challenger for the IBF heavyweight title. Whomever comes out ahead on May 21 will be required to face the winner of the forthcoming clash between Kubrat Pulev and Dereck Chisora. 

From there, a mandatory contender will be established for the winner of the April 9 showdown in London between recently crowned unbeaten champ Charles Martin and undefeated challenger Anthony Joshua.

Parker (18-0, 16KOs) is not even four years into his pro career, but quickly risen to heavyweight prominence. Trained by Kevin Barry – who captured a silver medal for New Zealand in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, Calif. – the 24-year old fighting pride of Auckland comes in riding a seven-fight knockout streak.

His most recent stoppage was the deepest he’s ever had to go in a fight to achieve such a result, pounding American journeyman Jason Bergman into submission inside of eight rounds this past Janaury in Samoa. The location honored his Samoan ancestry, his first in country and his fourth overall fight away from New Zealand.

A homecoming is now officially in store for by far the biggest fight of his young career. It is also suggested to be the most lucrative in the history of prizefighting in New Zealand, with a combined purse of more than $1 million to be at stake.

It’s the type of money that gets a deal done, and enough to convince the globe-trotting Takam to agree to terms. His side signed a bout agreement overnight, submitting to DUCO Events on Tuesday morning (local time) to make the fight official.

Takam (33-2-1, 25KOs) – a 35-year old Cameroonian based out of France – will fight in his fifth country come May 21. The bout will represent his fourth road trip in a span of seven fights, entering the eliminator on the heels of a current three-fight win streak.

His last loss also came in a title eliminator, landing on the very wrong end of a highlight reel 10th round knockout versus Povetkin in their Oct. ’14 clash in Moscow, Russia. Previously confined to France, Takam enjoyed a breakout performance in a disputed 10-round draw versus then-unbeaten Mike Perez, which aired live on HBO from Montreal, Canada.

Most recently, Takam managed a 10-round win over George Arias last November in Italy. 

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox