At a press conference held earlier today in New Zealand, WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker and his promoter David Higgins of Duco spoke with the local media and made it clear that their number one goal is a unification with IBF, IBO, WBA world champion Anthony Joshua.
While there are also discussions taking place with Lucas Browne, the former WBA "regular" champion is a backup option in the event the Joshua negotiations fall apart.
The big sticking point in the Joshua vs. Parker discussions is the money, with Higgins claiming that an 80-20 split was offered by Hearn.
If the money is right, then the Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs) fight will happen. If not, then Browne is the likely opponent for Parker (24-0, 18 KOs).
"Only if the money is right. We are in negotiations, if we feel it doesn't respect us with the split then we will go in another direction," Higgins told the local press, according to Fairfax Media.
Parker made it clear that Joshua is his preferred option to face next.
"Anthony Joshua [is who I want next], he's got the belts. I want to test his chin," Parker said.
Parker has made two defences of the vacant WBO title he won last December. He defended his WBO belt against Hughie Fury in September, and has already started an Auckland training camp for his next fight.
If they end up facing Browne, Parker's trainer Kevin Barry expects a very tough fight from the veteran.
Like his boxer, Barry wants to secure the fight with Joshua, because he's worried someone else will defeat Joshua in the near future.
"Lucas Browne wouldn't be a keep busy fight. I rate him in the top five punchers in the division. If the business is right we fight Joshua. I want us to get in front of Joshua before somebody else takes him out," Barry said.
