01-08-2018, 01:59 PM
Anthony Joshua takes on new job but keeps focus on Joseph Parker
Heavyweight superstar Anthony Joshua knows what it takes to make a successful promotion - he starred in the 90,000-seater clash with Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley last year.
Anthony Joshua is making his first moves into boxing promotion, but promises he won't be sidetracked from preparations for a likely world heavyweight title unification fight with Joseph Parker.
Joshua, the WBA and IBF world champion, has previously spoken of his desire to enter the promotional side of the sport and will start that process by helping oversee a British cruiserweight scrap between Lawrence Okolie and Isaac Chamberlain in London on February 3.
The 28-year-old will do that in a co-promotional role alongside his boss, Eddie Hearn.
World heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua might have to swap his tracksuit for a suit for his new role in the sport.
It comes against the backdrop of Joshua taking on WBO champion Parker in a massive title unification fight tipped for March 31 in Cardiff.
Eddie Hearn is taking Anthony Joshua under his wing to teach him the promotional side of the fight game.
Joshua doesn't see it as a distraction and is determined to fulfil his quest to become the king of the heavyweight division.
"Boxing is my most important thing and it's impossible to be the best fighter and the best promoter - Eddie cannot be the best promoter and also be a world champion," Joshua told The Mirror newspaper.
"I've been pro now for going on for four years, so it's way too early to be thinking about becoming a promoter. But to have the chance and to be exposed to these types of things, I take them with both hands because it's something I could never have imagined.
"It's a great opportunity and Eddie said it wouldn't take away anything from my boxing, so it made sense – it's good for me.
"I like boxing and, apart from going to the football with the lads, it's the only sport I will sit at home by myself and turn on, instead of watching EastEnders. When Eddie mentioned about the chance of being able to sit with him and bring attention, using my audience, to what these guys are trying to achieve, I said it's the perfect time for it.
"If it was any other opportunity, I might have said, 'Eddie, you know what? Not this one'. But I know both boxers and I know where they are trying to get to. I know how eager you must be, coming from the bottom to get to the top."
Parker's promoter David Higgins is readying to fly to London to finalise the unification fight deal with Hearn in what will be a massive payday for Parker who is set to earn around $12m for his third share of proceedings.
Parker, fresh off a holiday in Samoa, was being outfitted by one of his sponsors in Auckland on Monday, obviously determined to look sharp for what appears to be an inevitable formal announcement at a UK media conference once the ink dries on the contract.
@joeboxerparker
Never not happy and grateful ??
9:49 AM - Jan 8, 2018 · Auckland, New Zealand
Heavyweight superstar Anthony Joshua knows what it takes to make a successful promotion - he starred in the 90,000-seater clash with Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley last year.
Anthony Joshua is making his first moves into boxing promotion, but promises he won't be sidetracked from preparations for a likely world heavyweight title unification fight with Joseph Parker.
Joshua, the WBA and IBF world champion, has previously spoken of his desire to enter the promotional side of the sport and will start that process by helping oversee a British cruiserweight scrap between Lawrence Okolie and Isaac Chamberlain in London on February 3.
The 28-year-old will do that in a co-promotional role alongside his boss, Eddie Hearn.
World heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua might have to swap his tracksuit for a suit for his new role in the sport.
It comes against the backdrop of Joshua taking on WBO champion Parker in a massive title unification fight tipped for March 31 in Cardiff.
Eddie Hearn is taking Anthony Joshua under his wing to teach him the promotional side of the fight game.
Joshua doesn't see it as a distraction and is determined to fulfil his quest to become the king of the heavyweight division.
"Boxing is my most important thing and it's impossible to be the best fighter and the best promoter - Eddie cannot be the best promoter and also be a world champion," Joshua told The Mirror newspaper.
"I've been pro now for going on for four years, so it's way too early to be thinking about becoming a promoter. But to have the chance and to be exposed to these types of things, I take them with both hands because it's something I could never have imagined.
"It's a great opportunity and Eddie said it wouldn't take away anything from my boxing, so it made sense – it's good for me.
"I like boxing and, apart from going to the football with the lads, it's the only sport I will sit at home by myself and turn on, instead of watching EastEnders. When Eddie mentioned about the chance of being able to sit with him and bring attention, using my audience, to what these guys are trying to achieve, I said it's the perfect time for it.
"If it was any other opportunity, I might have said, 'Eddie, you know what? Not this one'. But I know both boxers and I know where they are trying to get to. I know how eager you must be, coming from the bottom to get to the top."
Parker's promoter David Higgins is readying to fly to London to finalise the unification fight deal with Hearn in what will be a massive payday for Parker who is set to earn around $12m for his third share of proceedings.
Parker, fresh off a holiday in Samoa, was being outfitted by one of his sponsors in Auckland on Monday, obviously determined to look sharp for what appears to be an inevitable formal announcement at a UK media conference once the ink dries on the contract.
@joeboxerparker
Never not happy and grateful ??
9:49 AM - Jan 8, 2018 · Auckland, New Zealand