By Duncan Johnstone

Joseph Parker isn't being sucked into the hype of his fight against an opponent rated more dangerous than anyone current world champions Anthony Joshua or Deontay Wilder have fought.

Parker takes on Carlos Takam in south Auckland on Saturday night in an IBF heavyweight eliminator with the winner getting mandatory rights to fight for the belt currently worn by Britain's Joshua.

It's a significant step up in the class of opponent for Parker with the stakes higher than they have ever been in his three years as a professional.

Joseph Parker goes through some pad work with trainer Kevin Barry as the clock ticks down to his crucial fight with ...

Just how big a challenge Parker faces has been outlined by former world champion David Haye.

Haye has already highlighted the dangers Takam possesses through his firsthand knowledge of using the Paris-based Cameroon fighter in previous training camps when he held the WBA belt from 2009-11.

But Haye added to his warning by suggesting everyone was ducking Takam, a theory already promoted by Parker's trainer Kevin Barry.

"Takam isn't the kind of guy you 'pick' for an opponent. He's too tough, he causes too many potential issues. He's the type of guy you have to fight in a mandatory. You have to be forced to fight this guy to fight for a world title. That's the only time this guy gets any work," Haye told media  ahead of his own fight in London this weekend as he continues his comeback.

"Carlos Takam is probably better than any of the opponents that Deontay Wilder's fought, or Anthony Joshua's fought. I think if I had a list of all the opponents, I'd put Carlos Takam at the top.

"It shows the courage of Parker to take on such a dangerous challenger in a mandatory. He's ranked highly in a number of the governing bodies so he didn't have to take this fight. He could've gone down another route but he chose to take this tough route because he wants a shot at Anthony Joshua's IBF title and this is a final eliminator for that."

Haye offered more advise for Parker on top of his earlier suggestions for the Kiwi to make good use of his height, reach and prolific jab.

"Listen to your coach, stay focused, stay relaxed and believe in yourself. He's done everything right so far and all he has to do is get it tactically right."

Parker appears to be in the right mindset, insisting he is focused and sticking to the routines that have got him to within sight of a world title challenge.

"With every fight we've had, and we've had 18 of them now, it's been good practice and preparation for a fight like this. I'm taking it as it comes, I'm comfortable with it and I'm just focusing on what I can do," Parker said.

Barry backed that up, emphasising: "We are keeping everything the same we have kept things for the last 18 fights.

"We have got a very good system that has worked very well for us and there is no need for us to change anything."

Barry said the tapering process leading into a fight required "keeping the body turning over".

Parker did seven rounds of shadow sparring and hitting the pads on Wednesday. It was similar on Thursday with another light workout on Friday ahead of the weigh-in.

Much of the focus now is mental with rest and relaxation ordered. For Parker, that involves plenty of family contact as he gets set to fight in his backyard in Manukau.

"Every night he goes and spends time with his mum and dad, sister and brother. Those things are very important. Joe's a family guy. He feels comfortable with his family," Barry said.

"We get the training done, he gets his rest and recovery and we are positioned ...  we are ready for the fight of our lives on Saturday night."

A simple recipe to find proof of Takam's dangers can be found beyond his fight record of 33 wins (25 KOs), 2 losses (1 KO) and a draw.

The rankings of the various organisations show how close this fight is on paper. Takam is ahead of Parker in two of the four ranking lists. Here's how they rate:

Joseph Parker: WBO 1, IBF 4, WBC 6, WBA 10

Carlos Takam: IBF 3, WBO 3, WBC 5, WBA 15.