Parker vs Joshua, Instead of What's a fair split?
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David Higgins and Eddie Hearn open talks about Joseph Parker v Anthony Joshua heavyweight unification fight

Anthony Joshua wants all the heavyweight belts and that's why he is keen on fighting New Zealand's WBO champion Joseph Parker.

Rival boxing promoters Eddie Hearn and David Higgins have finally opened up communication lines, setting up the possibility of a world heavyweight title unification fight between Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker.

Unification is the word on everyone's lips now that respective champions Joshua (WBA and IBF), Parker (WBO) and Deontay Wilder (WBC) have all completed their mandatory defences.

Higgins, Parker and trainer Kevin Barry will outline their hopes for 2018 at a media conference in Auckland on Wednesday, but adjustments might need to be made if talks with Hearn ramp up.

Australian Lucas Browne has established himself as a contender in the heavyweight ranks.

They have a viable alternative in what would be a hugely lucrative trans-Tasman challenge from rugged Australian Lucas Browne, a fight that could be fought across the ditch early next year and would lead into another voluntary defence against resurgent American Bryant Jennings in the United States.

Joseph Parker and his promoter David Higgins have some big decisions to make for next year.

But Higgins, the Duco Events boss, has also been trying to "flush out" Hearn for some time now, saying a Joshua-Parker fight in March can be a reality if the Kiwi's share of the massive purse is "respectful".

Hearn finally engaged Higgins on Monday night and the signs are positive.

"Joshua discussions remain alive for a fight in March next year," Higgins said of his initial contact with Hearn over a unification fight.

"There is a lot of detail to work out but yes, it remains a possibility."

The sticking pointy will primarily be money and Hearn in an interview with American specialist site Thaboxingvoice outlined the position of strength he operates from as calls increase for a clash between Joshua and Wilder.

"Deontay Wilder is a champion but you can't compare him with Anthony Joshua financially," Hearn said, pointing to the 80,000 who watched Joshua defend his title against Carlos Takam in Cardiff last week and the "5000" who turned up in New York to watch Wilder demolish Bermane Stiverne last Sunday (NZT).

"Anthony Joshua is a superstar. He generates the money ... Deontay Wilder doesn't."

It will be a similar scenario with Parker, with Hearn conceding media reports of a 20 per cent payout for the Kiwi as "you know, fairly accurate, although I've never made Joseph Parker an offer".

The test for Duco will be to see what fight they can make the most out of for March.

Higgins likes to have options to weigh up and a fight against Browne is certainly financially viable if a suitable Australian stadium can be filled and pay-per-view TV flows.

But Joshua is operating on a scale of his own right now.

It's why, Hearn says, Parker and Wilder won't get together as a unification alternative.

"Deontay Wilder won't pull the numbers. Deontay Wilder cannot fight Joseph Parker ... he can't afford to give him the money because they can't generate the money," Hearn told Thaboxingvoice.

Hearn wants to see Joshua fight Parker first to build the Wilder fight. That means sooner rather than later.

Hearn said the correct promotional thing to do between Joshua and Wilder would be to let the fight brew for 12 to 18 months.

"But fans have a voice nowadays and AJ wants to give the fans what they want. So, to me, that fight happens in the summer," Hearn said of hopes to pitch Joshua against Wilder in July, meaning a Parker fight would have to happen in March.

- Stuff
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RE: Parker vs Joshua, Instead of What's a fair split? - diehard - 11-07-2017, 04:06 PM

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