It’s getting closer: Parker-Joshua makes good progress

Joseph Parker’s promoter David Higgins says a unification fight against Anthony Joshua is ‘‘closer than ever’’.

There is speculation Joshua could announce details in the UK on Monday if he wins the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award.

Higgins wouldn’t be drawn on that but said this week negotiations with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn have been progressing well. Higgins said while he had ‘‘nothing in writing’’, recent exchanges with Hearn suggested some ‘‘potential concessions on their side’’.

Higgins has been holding out for 35 per cent of the purse and Hearn is believed to have been offering only 30 per cent. It seems middle ground is achievable.

‘‘The spirit around the table is good,’’ Higgins said of the drawnout negotiation process.

Higgins said he would be willing to go to London to finalise the deal if they can reach agreement on the purse ratio.

It’s believed that the hard stance being taken by Team Parker could push their fighter’s share of the profit from $6m into double figures.

It seems to now be a matter of when not if the deal will be sealed with Cardiff on March 31 remaining the most likely venue and date.

The developments come as Parker outlines his hopes for 2018.

He is thinking big with Joshua, Deontay Wilder and Tony Bellew his dream schedule.

Unification is key for WBO champion Parker. That’s why he wants WBA and IBF champion Joshua and has Wilder, the WBC belt holder, on his radar as well.

‘‘I’d like to fight Joshua in the UK as that’s where the drawcard is,’’ Parker told ESPN as his profile continues to build on the hype being generated around this potential blockbuster.

‘‘I’d also like to fight Wilder in America in Vegas and then I’d like to fight Tony Bellew. Those are the fights I want to make happen in 2018.’’