Offer to Parker most insulting, Higgins says
WELLINGTON: Joseph Parker’s promoters have described an offer from British heavyweight Anthony Joshua’s handlers for a title unification bout as possibly the most insulting in boxing history.
David Higgins, from Parker’s promoters, Duco Events, had been exchanging emails with WBA and IBF titleholder Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearns over a possible fight early next year.
Higgins has said WBO heavyweight champion Parker deserves at least 40% of fight takings against Joshua.
But Higgins told Sky Sports on Monday he had all but given up on a unification bout after receiving a ‘‘ridiculously low offer’’ from
Hearn.
‘‘I got this weird email from Eddie’s email address, but he must have been hacked,’’ he said.
‘‘He made the most ridiculously low offer. It could have been the most insulting offer in boxing history.’’
Parker’s most recent fight was in September, when he defended his world title by beating British opponent Hughie Fury by majority decision in Manchester to take his record to 240. He will not fight again until the new year.
If the Joshua fight fails to eventuate, unbeaten Australian Lucas Browne looks the likely alternative.
Other possible opponents for Parker are American Bryant Jennings in Las Vegas in March or China’s Zhang Zhilei in China in the second quarter of the year.
Joshua’s promoters have also been in talks with American Deontay Wilder, who knocked down Bermane Stiverne three times in the opening round to defend his WBC heavyweight title in New York 10 days ago. — NZN