By Duncan Johnstone

New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker is running on nervous energy as counts down to his biggest examination.

Parker fights French-base Cameroon slugger Carlos Takam in south Auckland on Saturday night with the stakes massive – it's an IBP eliminator with the winner getting the mandatory rights to challenge for the world title.

These are the days that tick away slowly. After 12 weeks of intensive training in Las Vegas, a couple of weeks in Auckland are now reduced to the final countdown. A media session in Auckland on Wednesday where he will go head to head with Takam in front of the microphones and Friday's weigh-in are all that are left ahead of the opening bell to the 12-rounder that will shape the next phase of his blossoming career.

A win puts him in line to take on British star and IBF champion Anthony Joshua. A loss would be damaging though not insurmountable in a heavyweight divisions that seems to change weekly at the moment.

Parker knows the stakes and is comfortable he has prepared accordingly for the touch challenge the 35-year-old, 36-fight veteran Takam presents.

"You do feel a little nervous but I'm more excited by this challenge," Parker said.

"It's a challenge we have prepared for. It's a challenge we wanted and we want to put on a great show.

"So it's more excitement now."

Parker feels ready in his mind and body.

"I have been training so hard for this fight. My coach has as well, waking up early and taking me to the hills and stairs and pushing me through hard times."

Parker's thoughts are echoed by his trainer Kevin Barry, who believes his young fighter will respond to the occasion.

"I wouldn't say I'm on edge, I'm excited," Barry said.

"We have high stakes in this fight. This is to put us in position to fight for the heavyweight championship of the world. This is a much bigger challenge and big challenges bring out the best in everyone. I've seen it bring out the best in Joseph Parker in the training camp and I think it will bring out the best in me as a coach.

"We don't feel like we are under pressure. But we are very very aware that this fight is a very big fight."

Barry said Parker's dedication had been evident daily in the long buildup to this fight.

The opportunity certainly isn't lost on the 24-year-old who is eager to keep his name at the forefront of a group of exciting young heavyweights that are now dominating the division.

"When you look at Joe, he is in phenomenal shape," Barry beamed.

"The last three years have been very very intensive for this young man and we have accomplished a lot in three years through developing his skills, through developing his body and he has stepped up every time we have put a test in front of him.

"This particular training camp the intensity that I have seen in Joe is far greater than anything I have seen before and I could not be more proud of him.

"It's now about putting the game plan into practice."