DON'T GET BETTER: Wladimir Klitschko is regarded as one of the top fighters of his generation.

Rising New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker has accepted an invitation to spar with world champion Wladimir Klitschko.

Parker will help the giant Ukrainian prepare for his next title bout at a camp in Austria in April.

Parker has turned down two previous invitations to work with Klitschko because the timings didn't suit his own schedule.

Getty Images GETTING NOTICED: Joseph Parker is receiving recognition from some of the biggest names in boxing.

Parker featured on Klitschko's undercard in his successful title defence against Australian Alex Leapai in Germany last April where relationships between the two fighter's promoters expanded.

Parker's handlers, Duco Events, now believe his 2015 schedule will allow the invaluable experience to happen.

Parker's trainer Kevin Barry sees many positives in getting his fighter in the training ring with the champ.

"The biggest thing is it will give us a real indication of where Joe is after two years as a pro," Barry said.

"And it will give us a realistic appraisal of how much we have to do to compete at the highest level.

"Part of my plans for 2015 were to have Joe work with a big, tall guy and you can't get a better giant than Wladimir Klitschko."

The training camp will come after Parker opens his year with a March 5 fight against American Jason Pettaway in South Auckland.

The 34-year-old from West Virginia has fashioned a decent record as a counter-puncher since turning professional in 2005 on the back of a 130-fight amateur career.

Pettaway has won 17 of his 18 fights, with 10 coming via knockouts.

His only loss came at the hands of unbeaten Russian southpaw Magomed Adbusalamov via a fourth round stoppage.

The bout is scheduled for 10 rounds with Parker's WBO Oriental and WBA PABA heavyweight titles at stake.

Barry believes Pettaway is a good opponent to start another busy year with the campaign aimed at manoeuvring Parker into the top five in the rankings and towards a title shot.

Parker is ranked No 10 with the WBA and 12 with the WBO.

"If you look closely at his previous 17 fights you will see that Pettaway has power in both hands - so it's not the one power shot you have to look out for," Barry said.

"It's a different style being put in front of Joe again and that's important. A lot of our training will involve countering a guy with a lot of movement. But we intend to take him places he hasn't been before."

Parker and Pettaway will front media in Auckland today but the American has already delivered an early shot, declaring there is nothing about the 22-year-old New Zealander that scares him.

"He's being touted along with Anthony Joshua as the upcoming superstar of the division but my trainer and I have studied his style and identified his flaws, which we will exploit. I will show the world chinks in his armour," Pettaway said.

The fight is the first of a four-fight deal under a new six-figure sponsorship arrangement with fast foods giant Burger King.