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Eddie Hearn says if Parker wins, he earns the lion share in any potential rematch – “It’s a carrot to show what’s possible”

Written by Keeran Rajan on 31st December 2017.

The face of Matchroom Boxing, Eddie Hearn is hopeful in the coming days to conclude talks for his charge, Anthony Joshua’s next heavyweight world championship title fight.

The unified IBO, IBF and WBA (Super) world heavyweight champion is expected to finalise an agreement which will allow him to meet New Zealand’s WBO world heavyweight champion in 2018.

The showdown has been penciled in to take place on March 31st. Additionally, the contest is supposedly being planned to take place at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

It will be Joshua’s second consecutive fight at the Welsh national stadium. ‘AJ’s last fight with Carlos Takam took place at the venue, who coincidentally also suffered defeat also at the hands of Parker, last year.

Ahead of the highly anticipated announcement of the showdown, it is believed that Joseph Parker accepted a figure of somewhere between 30-35% for the unification match-up. According to reports from Parker’s native homeland, he is expected to make up to $12m for the first Joshua fight.

However if he is successful, he will be in line for a whole lot more. Parker will then have the opportunity to stick it to Joshua and his team good in the negotiations for the rematch.

The contract is believed to stipulate that if Parker beats Joshua he will take 55% of the revenue split in a rematch.

Hearn, however scoffed at suggestions the rematch clause is to protect Joshua.

“I won’t talk about the deal but what I will say is that a rematch isn’t for [Joshua’s] protection.”

“If he wins, he’s going to make an absolute fortune in the rematch. If it’s a good fight and Joe loses, we’ll do it again no problems.” Hearn told The Herald on Sunday.

“It’s a carrot to show [Parker] what’s possible – it’s an incentive to get him to take the fight.”

“If he beats AJ, the first fight he will want after is a rematch because it’s the biggest fight in boxing. If he does win he’s also going to be the biggest star in the sport,” Hearn concluded.

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