Parker has ‘great deal’ for unification fight

British boxing promoter Eddie Hearn says Joseph Parker has got ‘‘a great deal’’ for a unification fight with Anthony Joshua as negotiations near completion.

WBO champion Parker mightn’t get the Christmas present he wants but the final details of a clash with IBF and WBA champion Joshua could be confirmed before the end of the year.

That was Hearn’s implication when he and Joshua attended a press conference for a major British cruiserweight fight yesterday and the inevitable questions around the Parker fight were quickly raised.

Negotiations have been going on for the last couple of months as Hearn and Parker’s boss David Higgins thrash out the final percentages.

‘‘The deal is not there yet, we are drafting paperwork, it’s a very long process, it’s complicated,’’ Hearn told IFL TV, indicating he expected a resolution some time next week.

He said he had enjoyed working with Higgins and found it productive.

‘‘He has done a great job pushing this fight and I believe he has got a great deal for his fighter as well. Parker will get a fortune.

‘‘We are giving up ground all the time because we want the belt. They aren’t going to sell out cheap.’’

Parker could earn as much as $12m for the fight as a result of his strong demands for at least a third of the net profit.

Hearn again praised Team Parker for being ‘‘realistic’’ as opposed to the 50 per cent demands being made by WBC champion Deontay Wilder to fight Joshua.

‘‘Joseph Parker wants the scalp of Anthony Joshua. Others talk about it ... but you have to get in the ring with this monster ... this kid (Joshua) is a beast and he wants to take Joseph Parker out.’’

Hearn had earlier told Sky Sports: ‘‘We’re close to a deal with Parker – it’s not done yet but we hope over the Christmas period, the turkey will get put to one side and we’ll work to get that done.

‘‘Hopefully we’ll be in position to announce that early in 2018.’’

There seems to be an agreement in general to make the fight happen and now it’s more the detail, including maximising the size of the fight in terms of a venue.

‘‘We’re looking at March 24, March 31 and April 7 as potential dates for his next fight, with various different venues in London and Wales, even other venues and cities around Europe as well,’’ Hearn said.