Boxing: Money talks – confirmation of Joseph Parker v Anthony Joshua blockbuster only days away

Confirmation of Joseph Parker's world heavyweight title unification fight against Anthony Joshua, which will be easily the richest in New Zealand boxing history, is only days away.

The Herald has learned that promoter David Higgins is likely to next week board a flight to London to officially announce the bout, which will earn Kiwi Parker and Joshua many millions of dollars and the winner three of the four recognised belts in the division.

The final details of the hard-fought negotiations between Higgins and Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn are all but done.

It is understood a breakthrough was made as recently as yesterday morning, and Higgins' trip will be more for publicity purposes ahead of a fight which will probably be held on March 31 at Cardiff's Principality Stadium, a bout which promises to be one of the most significant in both boxers' careers.

It will be the start of a media tour which will send the 25-year-old Parker's profile into the stratosphere, and the fight itself will secure for life the financial future of him and his family, including 12-month-old daughter Elizabeth. "That would be a great thing for me to achieve," he said recently.

As revealed yesterday, Higgins' hard line on a 35 per cent spilt of the take for Parker while keeping Hearn onside is about to pay dividends. The Herald understands that Hearn's initial offer amounted to about $NZ6million, but Higgins' refusal to settle, and insistence that Parker's WBO world title be given the respect it deserves, has pushed that to as high as $12m.

It means the humble Parker, born in Auckland of Samoan heritage, is set to be one of the richest athletes in New Zealand, and a re-match clause with Joshua, the holder of the world IBF and WBA "super" titles, is understood to be even more lucrative.

Higgins could not be contacted for comment, and a Duco Events spokesman said nothing had been confirmed, but it's understood the deal is all but done and all of the New Zealand parties – Higgins, Parker and trainer Kevin Barry, are extremely pleased with the result.

Parker will remain in Auckland for Christmas and travel to Samoa for New Year before heading back to Las Vegas for a 12-week training camp with Barry.

After Parker beat Andy Ruiz Jr for the vacant WBO title in Auckland 12 months ago he has defended it twice – against Razvan Cojanu, also in Auckland, and Hughie Fury in Manchester.

The Joshua fight will easily be the biggest featuring a Kiwi since David Tua's failed challenge against Lennox Lewis in Las Vegas 17 years ago.

It is likely to be one of the biggest sporting events in the world next year. Joshua's last fight was against Carlos Takam at the Principality Stadium and was a 76,000 sellout and watched by millions of viewers.