Nascimento said he had scouted Parker and those within the boxing community in Brazil were aware of the young Kiwi who has a perfect 7-0 record with six knockouts.
"I have seen him fight before," Nascimento said. "Obviously it's going to be a big challenge for me. He's a rising star."
The 33-year-old, who has recorded 17 wins with 15 knockouts in a 22-fight career, was happy to give up a weight advantage to Parker but said he would have preferred to have been slightly heavier.
Weight differences aside, there's one thing Parker will have to keep an eye on.
"My right hand is definitely a strength," Nascimento said.
The Brazilian has a habit of coming out firing in the early rounds and Parker's trainer Kevin Barry said his camp were well aware of what to expect.
"He's a dangerous puncher; there's no doubt about it," Barry said of Nascimento. "You only have to look at his knockout percentage and I've watched him on tape. He winds that right hand up and he looks to throw a home run with it. He's dangerous."
Parker's weight was the heaviest it has been for a professional fight; up a couple of clicks from his last bout against Afa Tatupu in October where he produced a second-round KO.
The extra kilograms are a reflection of the size he has put on in the past six months.
His legs, arms, shoulders and chest all look bigger and the 22-year-old could still put more size on as he grows in to his body.
"He's a work in progress," Barry said.
As he has been all week, Parker was relaxed at the weigh-in as he pondered a chance to claim the WBA PABA interim heavyweight title, which will be on the line tomorrow morning (NZT).
"Anywhere between 106 or 108kg was good for us," Parker said of his weight. "I'm feeling good and feeling strong, so it's definitely not a problem."
The bout will feature on the undercard of Wladimir Klitschko's world heavyweight title defence against Australian Alex Leapai.
- Daniel Richardson travelled to Germany courtesy of Duco Events Ltd
