Tyson Fury Backs Joseph Parker To 'Smash' Carlos Takam

IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has offered New Zealander Joseph Parker a vote of confidence as he prepares for his next bout.

The 24-year-old Aucklander is ranked at No.6 by the IBF, and is scheduled to meet No.5 Carlos Takam on May 21 in a title eliminator bout at a venue yet to be decided.

Victory over the highly rated France-based Takam will mean Parker is the IBF's mandatory No.1 challenger.

In a Twitter exchange on Saturday, Fury said the bout against Takam would be good for Parker's ranking and he believed the Kiwi would "smash" the Cameroon-born 35-year-old.

"(You) don't need good luck, but I'll send it," Fury tweeted.

Parker has won all 18 of his professional fights, 16 by knockout, but trainer Kevin Barry believes he'll be tested by Takam, who has a record of 33 wins - including 25 by knockout - two losses and a draw.

"He's a very big, strong guy who is going to be one hell of a test for Joe," Barry said late last month.

The IBF title is held by American Charles Martin, who will defend it against undefeated British Olympic champion Anthony Joshua in London on April 9th at the O2 Arena.

The winner of that bout will meet the winner of the Parker-Takam fight.