Anthony Joshua set to return to O2 Arena in March if Joseph Parker terms can be agreed
ANTHONY JOSHUA appears set to return to the O2 Arena in March 2018... if Joseph Parker terms can be agreed.
AJ's promoter Eddie Hearn says he's increasingly confident a fight could finally go ahead after drawn-out discussions over the purse.
Parker's team had wanted 40 per cent of the pot, but will now settle for 35 per cent.
On a potential 2018 showdown between Joshua and Parker, Hearn told the : "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.
"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."
On the purse split, Hearn added Parker's team should be jumping at the chance to land 35 per cent, which would be easily his biggest-ever pay-day.
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Hearn said: "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."
Meanwhile, Joshua has been linked with two other mammoth showdowns for 2018, with Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury on the cards.
Fury is working his way back to fitness after learning his doping hearing would be in December.