Boxing: Money talks - Joseph Parker v Anthony Joshua deal 'close'

Joseph Parker. Photosport

David Higgins' unorthodox press conference yesterday, which he has described as a "blunt force instrument", appears to have worked - the publicity has encouraged Anthony Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn to admit that an agreement on money for a showdown with Joseph Parker is "close".

In all of the dealings between Parker's man Higgins and Hearn, figures have never been mentioned. Higgins insisted to the Herald again today that he won't settle for anything less than 35 per cent of the pot.

In an interview released today, Hearn says that figure is "not right", but added it "wasn't a million miles away". And when Hearn was asked whether a 25 per cent cut for New Zealander Parker was more appropriate, he replied in the video interview by IFLTV: "No, I think that's probably under-valuing Joseph Parker."

Hearn added of the money that Parker will earn should he agree to put his WBO world title on the line against Joshua, the IBF and WBA world champion: "It will change his life. That's the carrot. I would like to make the fight. We're close, we're close."

Higgins, needless to say, feels vindicated about the press conference yesterday in which he stated that Joshua, undefeated over 21 professional fights, had a "glass jaw" and screened a video which purportedly proved it.

A smiling Hearn described the press conference as "mental" but appeared to appreciate the sentiment behind it.

"I know Higgins and Duco have had a load of abuse today about the presser but I don't mind it," Hearn said. "Look, they're working with what they've got. They're not a big promotional company.

"They're holed up in New Zealand and trying to make noise. That David Higgins phones up the journos in the UK like every day. He texted me today something bizarre and I just said 'mate, you're off your swede, you're on another level'. But it was that bad people were talking about it, weren't they? I don't mind what he's doing, really."

Hearn added: "They're definitely getting a lot of profile out of Joshua's name, which is smart."

Higgins told the Herald this morning: "I have to acknowledge that yesterday was a blunt force instrument, but by God it worked. Everyone is talking about it. I know it wasn't perfect but it was a very effective press conference and in fact in terms of the worldwide coverage it generated would have to be my most effective in my career.

"It has also flushed out the fact that Eddie doesn't think the 65-35 ratio is acceptable.

"In all our talks he has never made an offer but as a result of yesterday I know he thinks that Parker should get more than 25 per cent, but he is still yet to make an offer and 35 per cent is our bottom line."

Higgins added: "We're putting this fight on the map. Eddie is beaming like a Cheshire cat and probably licking his lips in his manor house in London at the thought of it.

"Credit to him and his PR team in Britain – most of the English media are completely ignoring the fact that Joshua has been floored in training in virtually every camp he's had and the fact that compared with a mandatory, which is usually about 30 per cent, 35 per cent for a unification fight is more than fair."

To Parker's advantage is the fact that he has a ready-made alternative in Australian Lucas Browne if the Joshua fight isn't made. Joshua has no such alternative. Englishman Dillian Whyte, another Hearn fighter, has been mentioned, but Joshua has already beaten him and has made no secret of the fact he wants to fight Parker in March or April.

Joshua's army of fans will demand a unification fight too and could lose patience if he elects to take a less than elite fighter such as Parker or WBC world champion Deontay Wilder.

Hearn said: "It's an opportunity for Parker to make a hell of a lot of money and also, if he wins, to be the hottest thing in heavyweight boxing. So we feel like we're being very fair.

"If he really wants this fight he will take the fight, if not he will yap, yap, yap, yap and Higgins will yap, yap, yap, yap and he will fight Lucas Browne for a million dollars, if that. What it comes down to is how much ambition he's got and whether he believes it.

"If he thinks he knocks out Joshua and he's got a glass chin, take the fight, mate - for a load of millions and probably double your money for your next fight if you win."