The plan is still for Anthony Joshua to fight three times next year.
Joshua’s brow was still wet with sweat from his victory over Carlos Takam in Cardiff when promoter Eddie Hearn announced that they were targeting three fights in 2018.
And while the British heavyweight’s next opponent has yet to be decided, the pieces are beginning to fall into place.
WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker has suddenly become the most likely candidate to share the ring with ‘AJ’ next, with just a dispute over the purse split standing in the way of that unification bout being made.
Parker’s promotional team recently released footage of every time Joshua has been rocked in an attempt to get under his skin and with negotiations ongoing, Hearn has revealed that it’s looking like Parker in March in London for Joshua’s next outing.
“We are certainly closer than we were,” Hearn told the Daily Mail. “We have spoken a lot with their team and we are within touching distance, so it is just about getting all parties happy and agreed. I’m confident we will and the aim would be for the end of March.
"It’s the worst kept secret in British boxing." https://t.co/vkw5z1FeFZ
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“The location could be the O2 and what a great return that would be. Our aim has always been for three fights in 2018 and that means March and the weather means going indoors.
“The O2 has been great to AJ so it’s a strong possibility, if we can get everything else lined up.
“I’m confident we will, so long as they are serious about wanting this fight.”
Parker’s team wants a 65-35 purse split in Joshua’s favour, having agreed to some wiggle room on their initial 60-40 demand, but Hearn is adamant that he’s not willing to accept that compromise.
“There is a deal there to be done with Joseph Parker, which makes him a lot of money,” Hearn told IFL TV.
“A win gives him a massive eight-digit payday for the next one. If they really think they can knock out Anthony Joshua, they should take the fight.
“It’s not a million miles away, but it’s not happening at 65-35.”
