Parker unification fight date likely in March

March 31 has firmed as the likely date for Joseph Parker to fight Anthony Joshua with contract negotiations for the world heavyweight boxing title unification bout making pleasing progress.

Parker’s promoter David Higgins and Joshua’s boss Eddie Hearn have been in discussions since it was revealed last week that paperwork to make the dream fight happen was now in the hands of both camps.

Higgins has been going through the contract with his legal advisers and told Stuff on Wednesday he had a fruitful 35-minute chat with Hearn overnight.

‘‘It’s all been pretty cordial. We raised contractual points we felt needed addressing,’’ Higgins said.

He expects to receive a fresh marked up contract from Hearn in the next day or so as they work through the fine print.

They continue to work on the fight venue, but March 31 appears to be the preferred date.

Cardiff’s Principality Stadium appears the most logical choice given that time of year in Britain though stadium options in London and Manchester have also been on the table along with other ‘‘quirky’’ European venues.

Stuff understands that if talks continue to progress at this rate, there’s a good chance Higgins will head to Britain by the end of the week for face-to-face meetings with Hearn to get the fight over the line.

Parker has been holidaying in Samoa on the back of his December training camp in Auckland that has given him a head-start with his fight preparations.

Joshua has been holidaying in Dubai.

If and when the fight is signed off, the pair will front each other in Britain for what could be an entertaining promotional opportunity before burying themselves in their training camps.

Parker has bemused Joshua by claiming the big Brit has a ‘‘glass chin’’.

That is sure to be the focus point of their first public meeting, especially in front of the volatile British media.