07-11-2017, 10:51 AM
Hearn Wants Joshua vs. Parker Unification By Mid-2018
Eddie Hearn, promoter for IBF, IBO, WBA heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (19-0, 19 KOs), would like to see his boxer have a unification with WBO champion Joseph Parker (23-0, 18 KOs) by the middle of next year.
Both boxers have upcoming assignments to deal with, which prevents their fight from taking place this year.
Joshua will return in the fall, either in a rematch against Wladimir Klitschko and or an IBF mandatory defense against Kubrat Pulev. Parker has a title defense against undefeated Hughie Fury on September 23 in Manchester.
If all goes well, Hearn wants to get the two champions in the ring on a date by the midway point of 2018.
"From an Anthony Joshua promoter's point of view, we've got the Wladimir Klitschko fight, we've also got a mandatory with Pulev but we want Parker [in the] spring/summer of next year. We want to try and add another belt to the bow," Hearn told Sky Sports.
Hearn expects Parker to defeat Fury. If that happens, then Hearn would like to see Parker face Tony Bellew or Dillian Whyte - which Hearn views as perfect choices to further build the Joshua showdown. Two British opponents in a row, says Hearn, would make the Joshua fight a more lucrative opportunity for both sides.
"It's a fight, I think if it happens, they should win and then I would stay here [in the UK] to be honest with you. I would try and knock off all the guys that would make my profile so significant that the Anthony Joshua fight becomes a huge UK and worldwide event," Hearn said.
"Certainly victories over Hughie Fury and Tony Bellew or Dillian Whyte would put Joseph in a brilliant position to earn a lot, a lot of money in the Anthony Joshua fight and put him in a position where that fight is a necessity rather than a potential fight."
Eddie Hearn, promoter for IBF, IBO, WBA heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (19-0, 19 KOs), would like to see his boxer have a unification with WBO champion Joseph Parker (23-0, 18 KOs) by the middle of next year.
Both boxers have upcoming assignments to deal with, which prevents their fight from taking place this year.
Joshua will return in the fall, either in a rematch against Wladimir Klitschko and or an IBF mandatory defense against Kubrat Pulev. Parker has a title defense against undefeated Hughie Fury on September 23 in Manchester.
If all goes well, Hearn wants to get the two champions in the ring on a date by the midway point of 2018.
"From an Anthony Joshua promoter's point of view, we've got the Wladimir Klitschko fight, we've also got a mandatory with Pulev but we want Parker [in the] spring/summer of next year. We want to try and add another belt to the bow," Hearn told Sky Sports.
Hearn expects Parker to defeat Fury. If that happens, then Hearn would like to see Parker face Tony Bellew or Dillian Whyte - which Hearn views as perfect choices to further build the Joshua showdown. Two British opponents in a row, says Hearn, would make the Joshua fight a more lucrative opportunity for both sides.
"It's a fight, I think if it happens, they should win and then I would stay here [in the UK] to be honest with you. I would try and knock off all the guys that would make my profile so significant that the Anthony Joshua fight becomes a huge UK and worldwide event," Hearn said.
"Certainly victories over Hughie Fury and Tony Bellew or Dillian Whyte would put Joseph in a brilliant position to earn a lot, a lot of money in the Anthony Joshua fight and put him in a position where that fight is a necessity rather than a potential fight."