Parker told the Herald straight after watching the broadcast that he felt Joshua looked "average" and "robotic". Six months after Joshua's incredible victory over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley, he looked powerful but yet slow and sluggish against Takam.
The 28-year-old from Watford, a charismatic character and a good role model, has become extremely popular in the United Kingdom but perhaps might not be set for the long reign that many of his supporters think he is.
In fact, it highlighted what a great piece of business Joshua's fight against the aging Klitschko was. It was easily Joshua's toughest opponent of his career, and a gamble, and yet the timing was probably perfect. Klitschko, now retired, was clearly in decline and the victory catapulted Joshua into the stratosphere of the sport.
Against Takam, Joshua looked predictable and slow. His movement was poor and he didn't punch in combinations. New Zealander Parker, the WBO world champion, who has never been hurt let alone floored during his amateur or professional career, clearly fancies his chances against Joshua.
Parker probably doesn't have the power that Joshua does but he does have speed, tactical know-how and an ability to take a punch. American Wilder, the WBC world champion, has a bazooka of a right hand, but his defensive ability is questionable and he can be extremely wild.
Joshua said in the ring afterwards that he wants to hold on to all of his three belts - the IBF, WBA and IBO, and therefore wants to fight all of his mandatory defences. But a unification fight takes precedence over a mandatory and would allow Parker or Wilder to jump the queue.
That wouldn't apply to Fury, stripped of his titles following his non-activity and admission of drug use. And it's Fury that perhaps Joshua should fear most. Joshua showed against Takam that he can quite easily be taken out of his comfort zone - a clash of heads in the second round left him with a swollen nose which clearly worried him - and Fury is as awkward and provocative as they come.
His antics before the Klitschko fight in Germany in late 2015 - complaints about the ring and requests for his opponent to re-wrap his hands - put the Ukraine off his game. He is also difficult to hit and possesses enough offensive weapons to trouble anyone.
If anything could get Fury back in the ring it must be the promise of a huge payday - something he never got from Klitschko despite his achievements in dethroning the king - and a real chance to get his belts back.
For Parker, who would like the Joshua fight any time the price is right, and Wilder, who presumably feels the same, the key is to remain patient.