Joseph Parker's opponent for his April 27 bout on the undercard of the world heavyweight title fight between Wladimir Klitschko and Alex Leapai has been confirmed as Sherman Williams.
Parker was originally slated to fight Ukrainian Andriy Rudenko but negotiations fell through. Instead, he will fight experienced West Indian Williams, a sparring partner of Klitschko's who has been stopped only once in 52 fights.
The fight, in Germany, will be the biggest of Parker's short professional career, but the 22-year-old will have the advantage of youth and height. Williams, 41, is only 1.8m compared with Parker's 1.97m frame.
"He needs to fight like a big man,'' trainer Kevin Barry said. "[He needs to] fight from the outside. He has got to get the shorter guy to reach. Joseph just needs to be smart and be systematic.''
Parker, who will fight for the first time since suffering a cut eye in the brutal clash against Afa Tatupu in West Auckland in October last year, said he wasn't concerned with the late change in opponent.
