By Duncan Johnstone

Joseph Parker twice avoided fighting Carlos Takam last year because his handlers thought it was too risky.

But a chance to gain a world title shot has now made the fight irresistible.

Parker and Takam tangle in south Auckland on May 21 in an IBF heavyweight eliminator. The winner will get the association's mandatory position to fight for the world title, most likely against Britain's Anthony Joshua, the current champion.

Getting decent opponents to fight rising star Parker hasn't been easy, given his skill sets that include the fastest hands in the division which have seen him deliver 16 knockouts in 18 fights.

But Parker's coach Kevin Barry revealed he backed away from repeated attempts to put his prospect in the ring with Takam last year because he felt it was too soon for Parker to take on the Paris-based Cameroon veteran.

Now, Barry believes the 24-year-old Parker is ready for the challenge of Takam.

Barry said they weren't alone in avoiding Takam, a 35-year-old who has has 25 knockouts in his 33 wins to go with two losses and a draw from a pro career dating back to 2005.

"Carlos Takam is the fighter in the heavyweight division that other heavyweights don't want to fight because of the package he brings to the fight," Barry said, adding that two of the current champions, Joshu and WBC belt holder Deontay Wilder had clearly avoided Takam for those reasons.

"That's why last year I turned this fight down two times.

"Our matchmakers Stu Duncan and Dean Lonergan said to me 'we are looking at Carlos Takam' and I said, 'no we're not'.

"I said I'm not interested in Carlos Takam because it was all risk and no reward and also because at that particular stage, as a coach  I knew that Joe needed more time to develop and mature. Hence I turned the fight down twice."

Changing circumstances meant a changing mindset, especially when the IBF confirmed the fight's status as a stepping stone to a title challenge.

"When we were given the chance this year, the risk and reward equation changed dramatically. The winner of the this fight becomes the mandatory with the IBF to fight for the title, so it was worth fighting a fighter who brought such danger to the ring and such risk.

"But with big risk comes big reward in this fight."

Barry is adamant Parker is up for the challenge off the back of a 12-week training camp in Las Vegas where he saw the best intensity from his fighter.

But the veteran coach was also quick to point out the impressive qualities Takam brings to the ring.

"We have studied the style of Carlos Takam who is a very, very dangerous, very good fighter ... by far the most challenging opponent that we have ever had in front of us.

"He's a guy who brings tremendous, relentless pressure, who has got very good conditioning, throws a lot of punches, defensively is very sound ... he fights behind the shoulder roll. And a guy who has terrific pedigree in the sport. He has been a pro now for 11 years, he comes out of the Olympic Games program, so he's somebody who has very good skills."

Barry said Parker would need to produce his total package to see off Takam but he was confident that could be accomplished.