Mai-B's video: Joseph Parker vs Carlos Takam

Heavyweight up-and-comer Joseph Parker and battle-tested Carlos Takam will meet in a world title eliminator on May 21 at the Vodafone Events Centre in Auckland, New Zealand, Parker's hometown, Duco Events, Parker's promoter, announced on Tuesday. The winner of the fight will become the mandatory challenger against the winner of the April 9 fight between American world titleholder Charles Martin (23-0-1, 21 KOs) and British star Anthony Joshua (15-0, 15 KOs). The mandatory fight is due no later than Jan. 16, 2017. The Parker-Takam fight was headed to a purse bid, scheduled for last Thursday, but it was cancelled when Takam agreed to a deal for a fight that Duco Events said will be the richest in New Zealand history. Though the amount each fighter would earn was not disclosed, Duco Events said the total purse is more than $1 million, which would surpass the previous record set by heavyweights David Tua and Shane Cameron, who earned $500,000 apiece for their 2009.Parker versus Takam on May 21 will be undoubtedly the most significant boxing event ever staged in New Zealand," Duco Events promoter Dean Lonergan said. "Over the last seven years, we have staged a number of big boxing events both here and overseas so we have no doubt we can deliver a world-class event, with the eyes of the world watching." The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Parker (18-0, 16 KOs), 24, long considered one of boxing's best heavyweight prospects, is excited to have his biggest fight just a few miles from where he grew up. "To have the fight in South Auckland is very exciting for me," Parker, who is training in Las Vegas, told ESPN.com. "I've grown up there my whole life and it's a great opportunity for me to showcase my growing skills in front of my supporters, who have been there from the start. I wouldn't want to have this fight anywhere else. It's given me the extra motivation to train harder."