A proposed unification clash between and Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker is edging ever closer — but a date and venue for the spring showdown remain undecided.
Parker’s promoter David Higgins flew to London this week and met with Matchroom bosses Eddie Hearn and Frank Smith on Tuesday for talks.
During three hours of negotiations, the two sides made positive progress but Sportsmail can reveal that several hurdles still need to be overcome before a fight can be finalised.
Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker are set to meet, but a date and venue are still to be finalised
Parker’s promoter David Higgins flew to London this week to finalise the details
Rumours that a March 31 meeting at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium had been agreed by the camps were premature. But Team Parker remain confident the unification clash will be made.
Higgins is set to meet with lawyers on Wednesday ahead of fresh talks with Hearn, during which the teams will look to thrash out the finer details of a deal.
Despite plans for Parker to arrive in the UK on Thursday, the WBO heavyweight champion remains in New Zealand.
Joshua, who defeated Wladimir Klitschko last April, would go into the bout heavy favourite
All being well, the 26-year-old will land on these shores by Sunday for a pre-fight press conference before heading his to Las Vegas to begin training camp.
Talks between the two teams have been ongoing for several months. But they reached a breakthrough last month when a purse split was finally agreed.
Joshua, the IBF and WBA champion, would head into the fight the heavy favourite. But Parker has won all 24 of his professional fights.