Joseph Parker in talks to fight Anthony Joshua

By Richard Johnson

Joseph Parker says he wants to face Joshua next and has questioned whether the British boxer can cope with his power

Joseph Parker's camp have announced they are in negotiations to set up a heavyweight unification fight with Anthony Joshua.

WBO champion Parker is not short of alternative fights including an agreement "in principle" to fight Australian Lucas Browne in March.

However, in a media conference in his native New Zealand, Parker made clear his preference to target Joshua's IBF and WBA belts.

I want to fight Joshua. He has got two belts and I want to test his chin and put on a great show.
Joseph Parker

"I want to fight Joshua. He has got two belts and I want to test his chin and put on a great show," Parker said.

"Those [other] fights would be good to keep busy, but the ultimate fight is to fight Joshua. He is the preferred option for us."

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The pair could meet early next year according to Parker's promoter David Higgins, but only if the finances are right for both boxers.

Image: Parker's promoter says he's opened talks for a unification bout with Joshua

Higgins told reporters in Auckland about early talks with Joshua's promoter.

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"Eddie Hearn and I have exchanged emails," He said.

"My message was Joe would fight Joshua next and Hearn's message was that Joshua would fight Parker next.

"It's now a question of the deal and money."

Higgins said if they were able to agree to a fight it would probably be next March or April.

He also revealed WBC champion Deontay Wilder was another potential match-up and they were prepared to chase him if the Joshua fight does not come off.

Deontay Wilder has called out Anthony Joshua

"Wilder's crew put a figure on the table that wasn't enough. If they put the right money on the table we would go to America and fight Wilder," Higgins said.

Elsewhere, Parker's American co-promoter Bob Arum has offered a Las Vegas fight on March 10 against Bryant Jennings.

Arum's Asian connections have also firmed up a multi-million dollar offer to go to China and defend the belt against WBO No 11 Zhilei Zhang.

Watch Jarrell Miller against Marius Wach on a New York bill that also includes Daniel Jacobs versus Luis Arias, along with Conor Benn's US debut from 3am this Sunday, live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event.

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