As expected the World heavyweight title unification fight between Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker will be official very soon according to multiple reports.
Parker’s promoter David Higgins confirmed to World Boxing News that the two sides will meet this week to get the deal done. Sportsmail reports that Higgins and Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn will meet on Thursday to settle details in order to finalise the deal.
Never not happy and grateful 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/tP416mnXqz
— Joseph Parker (@joeboxerparker) January 7, 2018
Once all the papers are signed, sealed and delivered, Duco Events and Matchroom will host a press conference and reveal more information about massive unification bout that includes the WBA Super, IBF, IBO, and WBO World heavyweight championship belts.
According to reports, Parker has settled somewhere around 33 per cent after rejecting other lower offers from Matchroom. The Kiwi and his promoter publically criticised Hearn’s offers which lead to them eventually getting a better deal.
“Things are on track. Eddie and I have discussed me boarding a flight tomorrow, that’s the current plan,” Higgins revealed to Stuff.co.nz on Sunday.
It's Jan 7th – relax
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) January 7, 2018
The promoter hopes that Parker will follow soon after.
“If we can make a deal and get the contract signed then Joe will probably fly midweek,” told Higgins in his interview with Stuff.
Higgins also confirmed that they are closing in on a venue. Right now the front runner to host the massive unification heavyweight clash is the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Last October Joshua retained his titles against Kubrat Pulev’s replacement Carlos Takam in a tougher than expected fight. ‘AJ’ eventually to the job done in the tenth round and won the fight via technical knockout. Parker retained his WBO belt against Hughie Fury after twelves rounds in Manchester last September.
The WBA’s recent announcement also brings some added flavour the fight.
According to the WBA’s rankings, the new mandatory challenger for the WBA Super World heavyweight title is Alexander Povetkin.
The Russian most likely expects to face the winner of Joshua-Parker this year, especially if Joshua retains his WBA Super title.
Though the Brit has firm intentions to go after all the belts and fight WBC World heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder next should he defeat Parker, but ‘AJ’ could potentially take on the mandatory challenger from Russia as well.
2017 was a big year for Joshua and Parker as both fighters fought twice in World championship fights and now after much discussion, the two will finally collide potentially on March 31st.
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