Boxing great Larry Holmes is backing Joseph Parker to work his way through the volatile heavyweight ranks and become world champion.
Parker fights France's Carlos Takam in an IBF eliminator on May 21 in Auckland, with Holmes indicating he'd like to come to New Zealand to see the fight that has major ramifications for the division.
The winner gets the mandatory position to challenge Britain's Anthony Joshua for his IBF belt.
With fellow Brit Tyson Fury holding the WBA and WBO belts and American Deontay Wilder the WBC belt, the glamour division has opened up following the long dominance of the Klitschko brothers.
And while there is plenty to play out in the politics of who fights who, where and when, Holmes says Parker needs to remain patient and committed and his chance will come.
Holmes, the American who held the WBC and IBF belts as he reigned the division from 1978 to 1985 on the way to a career record of 69 wins and just six losses that places him among the greats, has no doubt Parker has the skills to get to the top.
"I think he is going to become heavyweight champion of the world ... if I had to bet on it, I would take him," Holmes told Trackside Radio in a phone interview from his home in Pennsylvania on Wednesday.
Holmes likes Joshua but isn't convinced after the young English fighter blasted American Charles Martin inside two rounds in London last Sunday.
"Joshua fought real good but he didn't fight anybody ... it was a cakewalk for him," Holmes said.
"He stands up, he jabs, he throws the body punches ... he did what he had to do to win the fight.
"Joshua can improve. If he continues to have that urge that he he wants to do it, he can become a good fighter."
Holmes felt a fight between Parker and Joshua would determine the best in the business among the current generation.
"If and when they ever fight, that's when we'll see who the real champion is," Holmes said, continuing to sway in Parker's favour.
Parker met Holmes when he fought in the United States in 2014. Holmes attended his fight and was impressed with the young Kiwi's attitude and, most importantly, his jab.
Holmes is still regarded as having the best jab amongst modern heavyweights and said that punch laid the foundation for his success and longevity in the game.
But the 66-year-old emphasised that Parker had other attributes, too.
"Joseph Parker has got a lot going on for himself. Firstly, he is a big boy. He's someone you have to take seriously when you go out to fight him," Holmes told Trackside Radio.
"He has the potential to be a great fighter. All he has to do is keep his nose clean and do what he has to do. He knows how to fight, all he has to do is be determined to win. Parker is going to be fine ... as long as he keeps his discipline he will be fine."
Holmes even felt Parker had better potential than himself.
"I see a lot of [similar] stuff but he has one thing that I didn't have – a good right hand, a good punch.
"I had an OK right hand. I'd get them drunk with the left hand and then get them with the right hand. He can get you out of there in two or three rounds, especially if he works that jab like it's supposed to be worked."
Holmes said the 24-year-old Parker had time on his side, claiming he might not peak for another 10 years.
"I was in the sport for 38 years because I took care of myself. He will be in the same boat and he'll be harder to beat."
Holmes described Wladimir Klitschko as "a phoney champion" and he was glad to see the division regain some momentum through the Ukrainian's demise at the hands of Fury late last year.
In contrast he described Parker as "a real fighter".
Her also liked the way Parker was improving his rankings, especially his his close ties to the IBF whom Holmes had championed in its early days.
"It's a great organisation. They are on the ball, they are going with the mandatory and trying to make these guys understand what the mandatory is. You can't be a champion if you don't fight."
Holmes said he didn't know enough about Takam to comment, though he felt the rugged 35-year-old's record suggested he was "thereabouts" among the current heavyweights.
Holmes indicated he was keen to watch the fight live. Attempts to get him to New Zealand to view Parker in the aftermath to their 2014 meeting didn't unfold in the wake of meeting because of conflicting commitments.
Holmes congratulated Britain on adding some energy to the division, saying American heavyweights didn't have the attitude and desire to rule the world right now.