By Duncan Johnstone

Veteran boxing trainer Kevin Barry believes he has someone "special" on his hands in Joseph Parker but admits it will take a special performance to see off Carlos Takam and set up a world title challenge.

Parker and Takam fight in south Auckland on Saturday night in an IBF heavyweight eliminator with the winner getting the mandatory rights to fight for a belt currently worn by Anthony Joshua.

It's a fascinating equation: a young man in 24-year-old Parker against a wily campaigner in the 35-year-old Takam; the speed and power of the Kiwi against the guile and doggedness of Takam; and an opportunity that has seen both fighters turn up in prime condition.

The hard work is done, now it's time for Joseph Parker to prove his worth in a rapidly changing world heavyweight scene.

Takam presents an awkward proposition. He will use every trick he can to unsettle Parker's rhythm and take this fight deep into the 12 rounds, knowing the longer it goes, the more frustrated Parker will become.

All the while the ever-present danger of the one-punch dynamic that can end a heavyweight contest lurk.

But the reality is that Parker has the bigger punch and a skill-set his boss believes sets him apart in a new generation that is now shaping the division.

"When Joseph Parker is on, I'm so excited by this young man and I think there is not another heavyweight in the world that can compete with him when he is at his best," Barry said.

"The thing about Joe Parker is he has phenomenal hand speed combined with power which is a very dynamic equation and we have seen him knock guys cold with his one-punch knockout power."

Ensuring Parker is "on" is Barry's responsibility and he's confident the growing maturity of Parker will seem him enter the ring in the right mindset and that includes sticking to a game plan, which hasn't always been one of Parker's strengths.

His impulsive tendencies have seen him get into dangerous slinging encounters with several opponents, a rush of blood he can't afford against Takam. Discipline is the key to this fight, calmly engineering dominance of the ring position and his opponent.

The process will involve using Parker's height and reach advantage and lightning jab to control the distance.

Parker has the booming shots to end the fight from the outside and he has worked tirelessly on developing his uppercut to provide an ever-present danger for Takam who will look to fight at close quarters, coming in with his rolling shoulder technique for a tight tangle.

The fight has the potential to be a grind and Barry says they have prepared for that.

Look for plenty of body work from Parker to break down the rugged Takam and set up an opportunity for a knockout.

Don't forget Takam's reliable chin – he has only been knocked out once and that loss now hangs under a cloud with his victor, Russian Alexander Povetkin, banned for drug use that raises suspicion over his late rally to beat Takam in 2014.

Barry is adamant Parker's chin has been tested in sparring and has no fears in that department.

Barry is equally adamant Takam has never faced anyone of the Kiwi's power and therein lies the most likely outcome – bookies around the globe have made Parker a red hot favourite with a KO their shortest odds for the finishing method.

Barry admits this opportunity has come quicker than he expected – or wanted. But it proved irresistible. Now Parker has to prove he is irrepressible.

"Joe is 24 ... he is still, by a couple of years, the youngest in the top 10. I would have liked to have gone a little slower. But as a team we looked at this opportunity and the challenge and the reward outweighed the risk," Barry said

"We know it is a challenge. But we also know that for all the strengths and everything that Takam brings, there are bigger challenges out there."

That challenge is the world title. It's only one fight away and for that reason alone, Parker is primed for something "special".

"This is an opportunity for our team to put our hand up. We said and believed we had a fighter who could take us to the heavyweight championship of the world. Well, get out there and prove it," Barry said.