Joseph Parker
Joseph Parker could close in on a title unification fight with Joshua for March Getty

KEY POINTS

  • A title unification fight between the two champions could happen in March 2018.
  • Joshua wants to become the first heavyweight champion to hold four belts.

WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker has revealed that a title unification fight with Anthony Joshua is "very close" and could be set for March 2018.

Joshua most recently defended his WBA and IBF heavyweight titles against Carlos Takam in Cardiff on 28 October and is set for his next fight.

Having outlined his goals of becoming the first champion to hold all four heavyweight belts, it looked like a deal for a unification fight with Parker was to be concluded.

The New Zealander's camp was not happy with Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn's low offer though, as they wanted a more generous split of the earnings a potential title unification bout would make.

However, it looks like there is now some significant progress as Parker revealed that negotiations are coming to a productive end and a potential meeting with "AJ" could happen as early as March.

"I think the Joshua fight can go ahead early next year when both teams are locked in and happy," Parker told ESPN. "When we can find a free date, a time in March, then we can definitely make it happen.

"Negotiations are going good. I think we're close to locking something in. They're stuck at 30 percent [of the split], we're stuck at 35, so it's just finding the middle ground.

"We'll take 35 percent, which means Joshua will take 65, which is nearly double me, so I think that's a fair deal because he's the bigger draw card and he has two belts and I have one. I think that's reasonable and fair. I think we're very close. I'm excited as it's a chance to showcase my skills in the UK more."

Joshua truly announced himself to the world as 90,000 fans at Wembley saw him finish Wladimir Klitschko back in April to become the heavyweight champion.

Parker believes Joshua fighting him could be even bigger as it is a title unification fight.

"The Klitschko-Joshua fight was a great fight," Parker added. "A legend and an up-and-coming fighter going at it. It was a great fight for all of us to see.

"But there's just something special about a unification fight. We haven't had a unified champion for a while, and there's something special about a unification. I have a good feeling about this."

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