New Zealand news site stuff.co.nz have reported some interesting updates to Joshua-Parker fight talks.
The massive World heavyweight unification title fight between WBA Super, IBF & IBO champion Anthony Joshua and WBO World heavyweight titleholder Joseph Parker will be the biggest fight to start the year if they do manage to finalise the deal this month and organise the event in March.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has called the bout ‘a legacy fight’.
“Champions should be fighting champions, it’s as simple as that. This is a very, very big fight. This is a legacy fight. Anthony wants to be the undisputed champion of the world, so this is a very important step to do that,” said Hearn in an interview with Stuff.
If this gets made this press conf is going to be interesting 😂 https://t.co/SEsFFOPNIZ
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) December 28, 2017
“It’s my job and David Higgins’ job to maximise the revenue for the fighters. My gut feeling is it will be outdoors in the UK,” continued Hearn.
Last month Hearn told Boxing Social that there are multiple dates in March and April that they are looking at.
“I hope that in early 2018 we could be in a position to announce the fight. March 24th, March 31st, April 7th as well are the three potential dates. Wales, London, other cities as well looking to host this fight.”
According to Stuff, the preferred date for the fight is March 31st.
Parker’s promoter David Higgins mentioned cities like London, Manchester and possibly other big places in Europe, but it seems that at the moment Cardiff is the frontrunner again for another massive Anthony Joshua fight though other cities have not yet been ruled out.
“It’s a unified title fight between two young, fast, dangerous, unbeaten heavyweight world champions, so to do it in an arena and not a stadium, I’d get lynched,” told Hearn according to Boxing Scene.
Recently Joshua went into detail about Parker and his antics on social media. ‘AJ’ took a little jab of his own as he ranked Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, and Parker in that order, claiming that the Kiwi is the easiest of the three heavyweight threats.
Parker has taken aim at Joshua’s chin and publically mocked the Brit’s ability to take a punch.
.@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
In an interview with Thierry Henry on Sky Sports, Joshua said he understands what Parker is trying to do and won’t get involved in the trash talk.
“Parker… it’s unpredictable. From a fighting perspective I know I can beat him. But he’s now trying to challenge me mentally. The things he’s saying, the way he’s acting, I’m saying ‘this is out of character’, I have to kind of reassess Parker I think. He’s trying to get at me mentally and I have to keep my cool and not get involved in that.
“If you get into a game emotionally, I think that’s already a one up to your opponent. I’ve done against my old competitors. I went into the fight emotionally and it was a mistake.”
READ MORE:
Anthony Joshua Ranks His Three Potential Upcoming Opponents
George Foreman Says Anthony Joshua Is Number One
Parker Will Earn The Bigger Share Should He Fight Joshua Again