AJ ready to ‘overpay’ Parker for title fight
Anthony Joshua is set to agree to a heavyweight unification fight deal with Joseph Parker and ‘‘overpay’’ the New Zealander.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn finally seems willing to concede some terms to Team Parker to get the fight done, confirming Cardiff’s 78,000 seater Principality Stadium is the most likely venue for March.
‘‘We’re close,’’ Hearn told Sky Sports UK. ‘‘We’re at a stage now where we’re having to compromise on certain points that we don’t really want to, but ultimately we’re going to have to because if you want to fight Anthony Joshua, these guys – they want to be overpaid.
‘‘He is the golden ticket fight, the ‘Willy Wonka’ golden ticket fight that everybody wants and unfortunately for him, it’s going to mean sometimes taking a deal that isn’t right,’’ Hearn said.
"My job is to represent Anthony Joshua and to deliver the deals that are right. We’re not just going to roll over and let them tickle our belly and give everything away, but we ultimately understand that we’re going to have to overpay Joseph Parker to get that unification fight,’’ Hearn said.
‘‘We need these belts, there is no secret, and they know that as well.
‘‘It is the right fight for everybody and I think we’ll get it made. But we’ll see over the next week or so.
‘‘It’s close. We’re probably a couple of percent away from making the fight but that’s easier said than done,
Hearn wants the fight details sorted out by Christmas.
Parker’s promoter David Higgins has been steadfastly sticking to his claims of a 35 per cent split of the net profit. It appears Hearn has been offering 30 per cent to the Parker camp and they are now working towards common ground between the two figures.
‘‘Parker’s demands are unrealistic, but we’re going to try and make it happen,’’ Hearn said.
Joshua is adamant he wants to unify the division in 2018.
Joshua has the IBF and WBA belts and Parker has the WBO title. American Deontay Wilder owns the WBC version and is demanding a 50-50 split with Joshua for a fight further down the line – provided the big Brit still has his hardware.
‘‘We need these belts, there is no secret, and they know that as well.
‘‘Anthony Joshua’s pure aim is to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. To do that he has to beat Joseph Parker and Deontay Wilder,’’ Hearn told Sky Sports.
‘‘The Wilder fight is in dreamland at the moment, with his demands. The Parker fight is very close.
‘‘Hopefully, we can get that over the line before Christmas, pick up the WBO title in March, and then move on for the big one against Wilder for all the belts on the line.
‘‘Deontay Wilder is on cloud nine. I mean he’s never fought anybody. You’ve got to understand, Anthony Joshua is making 10 times per fight what Wilder is making, and he wants to make the same money that Anthony Joshua is making in that fight.
‘‘I understand. Wilder is on relatively low money, he’s not a draw in the US right now.
‘‘They all want the Joshua fight. It’s everybody’s cash-out fight.
‘‘Our plan is to go and pick up another belt, have three belts going into that fight against Wilder’s one, clean him out, and then have it all, be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.’’
Hearn said he and Higgins were discussing some ‘‘quirky venues’’ for Joshua v Parker but acknowledged the need for a large crowd given the unification ramifications. He felt Cardiff, with its retractable roof, was the best option for that time of year.
Hearn is also trying to fill a February 3 slot at London’s indoor O2 Arena.
It appears his heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte could headline that.
Hearn has been in discussions with Australian Lucas Browne for that date and now Hughie Fury, Joseph Parker’s last victim, has been calling out Whyte.