Earlier this week it was reported that Joseph Parker and his promoter Dave Higgins were not pleased with the alleged 80-20 split offer in Anthony Joshua’s favour from Matchroom and therefore declined it.
“It’s disrespectful for the fact that Joseph has earned one of the credible heavyweight belts. So has Joshua, so it should be much closer to 50-50 than what was put on the table. No one in our camp was shaking in their boots,” stated Higgins in an interview regarding the alleged offer.
“I think Eddie is offering [Parker] 20 percent [of the purse] to kill the fight because he’s worried his golden goose might get beaten. I think he’s offering that on purpose so he can go in another direction. He knows that we won’t take 20 percent. It’s an insult,” told Higgins according to ESPN.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has big plans for WBA, IBF & IBO World heavyweight champion and the WBO champion Parker is certainly a part of those plans. But despite Higgins’ comments, Hearn wrote on Twitter that so far no offer has been made.
No offer has been made to Team Parker
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) November 2, 2017
He then called Higgins’ comments and Team Parker ‘very strange’.
So are they
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) November 2, 2017
The promoter then wrote a cheeky response that the alleged 80-20 split in Joshua’s favour would be ‘a good place to start’.
Although it's a good place to start
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) November 2, 2017
Now Higgins is saying that because of Hearn’s ‘games’ and ‘insulting’ offer, they will seriously look for other options.
“Sometimes it’s not about the money, greed will kill it [a Joshua unification] We’ve got other options and we are closing in on them. Offers from China and Japan. There is potentially a lot more money in places like Russia,” said Higgins to ESPN.
The promoter then mentioned a familiar heavyweight name that might get the next shot at Parker’s WBO World title.
“[Alexander] Povetkin was saying he wants to fight Parker in Russia in the middle of the year.
Then there’s [Deontay] Wilder, [Dillian] Whyte and even Lucas Browne which would be a good show in this part of the world. There are all sorts.
“Parker has got a genuine title and he’s got a voluntary but we will just take the Joshua fight because we reckon we will beat him. That’s why Hearn and Joshua are trying to avoid the fight by being stupid about the money,” commented Higgins.
Both Joshua and Parker retained their titles this year but not without a bit of controversy.
Parker defended the WBO belt against Hughie Fury in Manchester this past September but not all were happy with the unanimous decision win verdict.
Joshua recently beat Carlos Takam in Cardiff via 10th round ko, but his performance gained criticism because at times he struggled against the underdog and fans also voiced their opinion about an early stoppage.
Nonetheless, Joshua and Parker are somewhat destined to face off at some point next year without question but for now, talks are not progressing.
READ MORE:
Report: Matchroom Offered An 80-20 Split In Joshua’s Favour To Joseph Parker
Joshua’s Coach Wants Parker First, Then Wilder
Joseph Parker Calls Out Anthony Joshua, Can He Get It Before Wilder?
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