Anthony Joshua vs Joseph Parker unification fight moves closer with long-awaited purse agreement

The proposed heavyweight unification clash between Joshua and Parker is expected to be finalised in the coming days after the two camps finally agreed on a purse split

A fight between Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker has edged closer (Getty / Independent)

Heavyweight world title holders Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker have moved a step closer to a unification fight in the spring after finally agreeing on a purse split.

The pair’s representatives have been locked in negotiations over how the two sides would split the tens of millions of pounds the fight is expected to generate. But both parties have now agreed on a deal where Parker, the WBO belt holder, will receive between 30 to 35 per cent of the fight purse.

That leaves over 60 per cent for Joshua, the WBA, IBF and IBO heavyweight champion, and The Independent understands that Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing has sent a contract to Parker’s co-promoter David Higgins, who is expected to fly to London next week.

“We’re really, really close,” Higgins told ESPN on Wednesday night.

“This fight has never been closer. And we’re a lot closer to a deal now because we’ve had a major breakthrough, which is that the two camps have formally agreed on the split.

“The Joshua side made a small concession and the Parker side has made a small concession.”

Negotiations between the two camps have been protracted and occasionally fractious, with Parker’s promotional team initially demanding 40 per cent of the purse, but Hearn only offering a small fraction of that figure.

Parker’s promotional company, Duco Events, also staged a bizarre press conference in Auckland, during which they showed a compilation video of Joshua being knocked down and christened him ‘Glass Jaw Joshua’.

But the two camps have since resolved their differences, with progress being made after both Duco and Matchroom relaxed their demands slightly.

“It's between 30 and 35-ish percent for the Parker side,” Higgins said.

Parker's promoter David Higgins addresses a press conference (Getty)

"I'll leave it at that for now, but it's somewhere close to the middle of that. Maybe after Eddie and I talk about it, we will make the figure public.

“So my gut feeling is there will be a deal. We're only haggling over officials. We'll have to have a discussion with the British Boxing Board of Control. I'm also happy to have the sanctioning bodies nominate a pool of officials.

“But even with that, we're very close to a deal. Eddie and I get on well. I found him to be smart, and we have a banter and humor between us. He doesn't have an ego problem. I like working with people like Eddie Hearn. Both sides have given concessions. We respect them.

“The goal is to get it done as soon as possible.”

Hearn has also insisted there is a rematch clause in the fight contract (Getty)

There are a still a number of details that need to be resolved ahead of any formal announcement, including the date – expected to be no sooner than March 31 and no later than April 28 – and venue.

Hearn has previously commented that a return to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, which staged Joshua’s most recent victory over the French challenger Carlos Takam, is the most likely destination for the fight, although Higgins has acknowledged that there is still time for a “wild-card venue” to secure the rights.

“There are a couple of wild-card venues in Europe because Joshua is so big you could have tens of thousands of fans travel to another location in Europe for the fight,” he added.

“And you never know if a place like Saudi Arabia comes in and offers a $100 million to stage the fight.”

Joshua stopped Takam at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff (Getty)

Joshua has a number of options in 2018, with a unification fight with WBC champion Deontay Wilder and a British showdown with the returning Tyson Fury also in his sights.

However, earlier this week Hearn acknowledged that, while negotiations with Parker have progressed well, a fight with the undefeated Wilder remains unlikely because of the American’s demands.

“We need these belts, there is no secret, and they know that as well,” Hearn said.

“Joshua's pure aim is to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. To do that he has to beat Parker and Wilder.

“The Wilder fight is in dreamland at the moment, with his demands. The Parker fight is very close. Hopefully, we can get that over the line, pick up the WBO title in March, and then move on for the big one against Wilder for all the belts on the line.”