- Anthony Joshua could be set for a return to the O2 Arena in late March 2018
- The world heavyweight champion is poised to fight Kiwi Joseph Parker
- Eddie Hearn is increasingly ‘confident’ of a fight after weeks of discussions
- Parker’s people had previously referred to an earlier fight offer as insulting
Anthony Joshua could be set for a return to the O2 Arena in late March if terms can finally be agreed with Joseph Parker.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn is increasingly ‘confident’ of a fight after weeks of discussions over the purse split.
Parker’s team initially demanded 40 per cent of the purse and are now calling for 35 per cent for the WBO champion amid a blaze of publicity stunts.
Anthony Joshua could be set for a return to the O2 Arena in late March against Joseph Parker
Parker’s team initially demanded 40 per cent of the purse but are now calling for 35 per cent
Hearn is refusing to go so high but said they are ‘closer’ and revealed that the unification bout, if it was to happen, would likely head to London’s O2 Arena, where the WBA and IBF champion has not fought since June 2016.
Hearn told Sportsmail: ‘We are certainly closer than we were. We have spoken a lot with their team and we are within touching distance, so it is just about getting all parties happy and agreed. I’m confident we will and the aim would be for the end of March.
‘The location could be the O2 and what a great return that would be. Our aim has always been for three fights in 2018 and that means March and the weather means going indoors.
‘The O2 has been great to AJ so it’s a strong possibility, if we can get everything else lined up.
‘I’m confident we will, so long as they are serious about wanting this fight.’
Promoter Eddie Hearn admits he is increasingly confident a deal is close to completion
It would see Joshua return to the scene of many successes, where he hasn’t fought since 2016
The concern for Joshua’s team is that Parker’s camp are using the talks to generate exposure and publicity for their fighter.
Earlier this week, the unbeaten New Zealander and his promoter, David Higgins, were part of a bizarre press conference that attempted to show Joshua’s fallibilities via footage of his earlier fights.
Hearn added: ‘Parker’s team have gone public in saying 65-35 and while I won’t say what our position is, I can say we are not far off on a deal that would be worth around five times Parker’s biggest purse.
‘He should take this; if he doesn’t he will face Lucas Browne which will virtually kill the chance of an AJ fight in 2018.’
Discreet talks remain ongoing with WBC champion Deontay Wilder, though that fight would be for later in the year in a stadium.