Despite Eddie Hearn’s positive comments on Monday regarding overpaying and trying to get a deal done before Christmas, Joshua-Parker is still on lockdown.
“We’re close, we’re not there. We’ve made some concessions now on our side, which we don’t think we should of, but we have. And they have made some concessions that they don’t they should of but they have. It’s the fight to be made next. I’m hoping before Christmas we can get that over the line,” told Hearn to Boxing Social on Monday
In an exclusive interview with World Boxing News on Tuesday, Joseph Parker’s promoter David Higgins insisted that talks are at a standstill.
“There is no change in the current standing on Joshua v Parker and we are still at a deadlock with Hearn over the purse ratios,” said Higgins.
According to reports, Hearn had offered a 30-70 split deal but Team Parker have made their stance clear and will only accept 35-65.
On top of Hearn admitting that he is willing to overpay, there has been serious talk about the venue and date for the fight itself.
“We have to realise that if we want the fight, we have to sign a deal that’s not right. That’s just how it is. We are prepared to do it. We are already at that point. I don’t think the deal’s right but we want that belt,” admitted Hearn on Monday.
Joseph Parker himself is confident when the deal gets done, he will be able to upset the current WBA, IBF & IBO World heavyweight champion and claim the throne.
“Every fighter has a lot of strengths and weakness. I also have a lot of weaknesses I have to work on. He’s got a lot of power, he comes forward but he’s a little bit robotic and not that illusive.
.@anthonyfjoshua doesn't a 65-35% between two unbeaten champions sound fair? Nearly double our share. Don't worry a rematch clause is there in case you're worried about your chin #NoExcusesNow#NeverBeenDropped .@EddieHearn .@D_Higgins_Duco
— Joseph Parker (@joeboxerparker) November 27, 2017
“We’ve only seen him dropped once in his professional career and that was by [Wladimir] Klitschko but that showed if you can get to his chin there’s obviously a chance you can drop him. He has weaknesses and I can exploit them,” said Parker in an interview with ESPN.
Recently Parker’s co-promoter Bob Arum revealed a time and a date for the unification bout against Joshua.
Arum believes the fight is close to being signed, sealed and delivered for March 31th.
“We’re very, very close. It’s going to happen. I give (Parker) a good chance. I think Joshua is a really good, exciting fighter with a great marquee and everything, and he’s very ballsy, but I don’t think he has a good chin.
“I really think his chin is suspect. And I think that Parker, who may not be the greatest boxer in the world, has a chin like iron. And I think he’ll stay in there with Joshua and he could knock Joshua out, I really believe that. And I think the same thing about Wilder. I think Wilder could knock Joshua out,”
Right now several media outlets are reporting that Joshua-Parker might take place in Cardiff, meaning the Anthony Joshua show would return to the Principality Stadium.
However, Higgins did not confirm anything regarding the matter.
“The venue and date for any fight are still wide open but if a deal is made, we would look at several competing options,” he said.
The promoter apparently also expressed interest in organising the fight outside of the UK in Europe.
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