Joseph Parker fired off a warning shot that was heard around the boxing world.

And it wasn't with his trademark knockout: it was with a mix of guts and guile as he went into uncharted territory, seeing out 12 rounds for a treasured victory over Carlos Takam that earned Parker his dream of a world title shot.

Joseph Parker won against Carlos Takam by unanimous points decision. Photo: FAIRFAX NZ

The New Zealand heavyweight won the IBF eliminator at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau on last night by unanimous points – 116-112, 116-112, 115-113, Stuff reported.

That gives him the mandatory rights to challenge for the IBF's belt, currently worn by Britain's Anthony Joshua.

The manner of this victory will also give him increased respect. It was a fight that featured an intense workrate from both fighters.

Takam gave as good as expected but Parker held his cool to dish out the better shots and pick up points with his jab.

The fight was shown live on TV in the UK and the prospect of the two most exciting fighters in the sport's glamour division entering the ring together is now a reality.

It may take time, but it will happen.

And with that time, Parker will be even more ready than he was for Takam, who he slowly but surely wore down.

Naturally, Duco Events boss Dean Lonergan was thrilled with the result and already planning for the future, declaring: "Joseph Parker has just beaten one of the tougher guys in the heavyweight division and by far and away one of the most durable.

"With this performance he has put Anthony Joshua on notice and we are now heading to England to explode the myth that is Anthony Joshua.

"In his fight against Dillian Whyte five months ago, Joshua got wobbled in the second round and if that happened with Joseph Parker in the ring, Joshua would be on his back and out and Joe would be world champion.

"So it's fair to say Anthony Joshua should be looking on with great trepidation."

With genuine justification, this was seen as a stern test for Parker, a lift in class of opponent and intensity.

Knowledgeable critics of the brutal sport were seeing it as Parker's graduation test after three years of learning across 18 unbeaten fights.

Parker graduated in style. He is a Bachelor of Pugilism but it doesn't stop there. Now he starts the intense studies for his Masters degree that will come in the form of a treasured title shot.

A massive opportunity awaits and increased dangers come with that, but Parker appears to have the physical and mental qualities to cope.

In a million-dollar fight on Saturday night, he produced a multi-million dollar performance.

He has the tools and he showed he could deploy them.

Takam entered this fight with a record and reputation suggesting this was a huge risk for the New Zealander.

The Paris-based Cameroon fighter was labelled the "gatekeeper" to the heavyweight division, a difficult opponent many had avoided and only one had knocked out in 36 previous fights.

Parker swept through the gates and might have taken the key with him.

Takam threw an early overhand right trying to expose what has been a Parker weakness and swung some fast and dangerous left hooks.

Parker stayed calm, showing speed on defence as well as his trademark movement.

Parker won a slinging duel in the second round and was dominant again in the third and fourth, starting to find his range and producing a couple of sweet uppercuts.

But it looked to unravel in the fifth. After Parker rocked Takam, the veteran found another gear and produced several telling blows to Parker.

Relinquishing the centre of the ring, Parker cleverly started a counter-punching game to score points.

The seventh round was a highlight with Parker relentlessly pounding Takam but unable to put him away, and the visitor recovering to rally.

The pace started to slow but Parker found his rhythm again with his jab to score points and was the dominant finisher.

- Stuff