Anthony Joshua 'very close' to agreeing date to fight Joseph Parker

Anthony Joshua is “very close” to agreeing a heavyweight unification fight with Joseph Parker as promoter Eddie Hearn admits he will “overpay” the New Zealander to secure the showdown which is likely to go ahead on either March 24 or March 31. The 02 Arena, or even a return to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff is a possibility, Hearn told The Telegraph.

Hearn had said 48 hours previously that the talks were “at a deadlock”, which was later confirmed by Parker’s promoter David Higgins, from New Zealand, with the two teams having refused to compromise over the split of the purse. “I’d like to think, when I sit down for Christmas dinner, the fight will be signed, sealed and delivered, so that the two fighters can get into camp in the New Year,” Hearn said.

Joshua holds the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association belts; Parker the World Boxing Organisation crown.

Parker’s promotional team had suggested last week that Joshua was “refusing to compromise” over terms, with the WBO champion offering a 35-65 cut in favour of the Briton. Joshua had wanted a 70-30 split, which Higgins was unhappy about. “Joseph is a world champion, the holder of the WBO belt, and 30 per cent felt like too much of a compromise,” he said.

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Hearn appeared to have moved matters on, but also said that Dillian Whyte could be brought into the equation for a rematch with Joshua if the talks broke down. Joshua is understood to have earned upwards of £15 million for his title defences against Carlos Takam, in Cardiff in October, when the Londoner completed his 20th knockout of his 20-fight career.

“We’re at a stage now where we’re having to compromise on certain points that we don’t really want to,” Hearn told Sky Sports. “But ultimately we’re going to have to because, if you want to fight Anthony Joshua, these guys, they want to be overpaid.

“AJ is the golden ticket for all these opponents and Parker’s demands are unrealistic, but we’re going to try and make it happen.”

Elsewhere, Tyson Fury’s much-delayed UK Anti-Doping hearing was scheduled to resume in London yesterday with a resolution expected after the new year. But Fury did not attend yesterday, and neither the heavyweight boxer, nor Ukad would comment. The hearing was scheduled for five days this week.

Kell Brook will make his debut at light-middleweight against Sergey Rabchenko at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield on March 3, it was announced yesterday. The former welterweight world champion will return to action following the loss of his IBF title against American Errol Spence in May.