By Liam Napier

Joseph Parker's heavyweight showdown with Carlos Takam could cost close to $2 million but promoters are confident of making a profit despite opting to stage the bout in a small arena.

Parker's promoters, Duco Events, estimate on top of the million dollar purse they are putting up the costs of staging the fight on May 21 could balloon out to near $2 million.

On the face of it the logical decision would, therefore, be to hold the fight at Auckland's Vector Arena, New Zealand's largest indoor venue with a capacity of around 12,000.

But general admission tickets are not where promoters make their money here.

Ultimately, that comes through corporates, sponsorships, publicity and pay-per-view buys.

Broadcast is another valuable revenue stream. The biggest fight of Parker's career could be beamed into up to 60 markets - the likes of the United States, Australia, Samoa, France and Poland already indicating interest.

Instead of targeting a large local crowd, Parker and Takam will square off for the IBF's mandatory challenger status at Manukau's Vodafone Events Centre, which has a comparatively small capacity of 3,000.

"We had a look at those [other venues] but Joseph was most comfortable out south," Duco promoter Dean Lonergan said. "If you're Joseph Parker wouldn't it be best to fight just down the road from where you grew up?

"We have to make this fight work financially - it's an expensive fight to have.

"Every time Joseph fights it costs a minimum of a million to put on. If your purse is around a million then you've got all those other expenses. It will be around $1.8 to $2 million to put this fight on, so it is a big deal.

"David Higgins and myself have been doing this for a very long time. I've got 20 years experience; Dave's got 10 to 15 and we've been working together for the last five to six years so it's fair to say we've done our numbers and we're very confident of making it work. It's not like this is our first rodeo.

"People talk about the TAB and big punters and even though Dave and myself don't bet on the fights we sit there knowing if Joseph was to lose there's a lot of downside from a financial point of view for me and him. But it's a hell of a ride and we're enjoying it."

Should Parker (18-0) take care of 11-year seasoned pro and former Olympian Takam (33-2-1), the 24-year-old Kiwi's immediate future lies overseas. Wembley Stadium, with a 100,000 capacity, is the big drawcard. 

"Potentially it's the last time he fights in South Auckland for a long time, if ever," Lonergan said. "We'd like to think we could bring a world heavyweight title fight here. It would be magnificent to do that at Vector or maybe Eden Park. Time will tell. We've made it clear we want to be fighting on the big stages overseas - that's where the big money is."

Outside the venue Parker will have other advantages, notably using the same ring he has fought in at home for the past three years. With the right to fight the winner of Anthony Joshua and Charles Martin, who meet in London on April 9 for the IBF title, on the line Parker is promising to deliver his best performance yet.

"This is the time for me to show what I can actually do in the ring against a top opponent," Parker said. "Fighting Takam is going to bring out the best in me. I'm grateful to have this fight in New Zealand so everyone can see the most improved Joseph there is. I'm going to turn on beast mode."

Seven weeks out Parker's focus has already switched to finding suitable sparring partners. His trainer, Kevin Barry, stressed Takam's awkwardness, power, pressure and come-forward aggressive nature posed a series of risks.

But he, too, was confident Parker would rise to the challenge and send a message on the same day Deontay Wilder defends his WBC crown against Alexander Povetkin and David Haye also continues his comeback in London.

"Joe has been fighting well within himself for the past three years," Barry said. "There's not too many other heavyweights in the world that want to fight Carlos Takam.

"Deontay Wilder never once talked about fighting Carlos Takam.

Anthony Joshua is fighting for the IBF belt but we never once heard him talk about fighting Takam.

"It will make a statement around the world of heavyweight boxing if Joe gets everything right and does what I know he's capable of against Carlos Takam."