Joshua-Parker: Hearn Will Negotiate Terms Over Next Few Days

Matchroom's Eddie Hearn, who promotes IBF, IBO, WBA heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs), has confirmed that he's in talks for an early 2018 unification with WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (24-0, 18 KOs).

Hearn met with Joshua on Tuesday to map out the game plan for 2018.

Later that same day, Hearn reached out to Duco Events' David Higgins, who promotes Parker (24-0, 18 KOs), to discuss a potential March unification with

Higgins spoke with Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, on Monday night. The target is a date in March, but that month could ultimately change depending on how long their discussions play out.

Joshua was in action two weekends ago, when he stopped Carlos Takam in the tenth round before a crowd of 78,000 at Principality in Cardiff, Wales.

Joshua became the king of the heavyweights in April, when he got off the floor to stop former division ruler Wladimir Klitschko before a record crowd of 90,000 screaming fans at Wembely in London to unify his three world titles.

Parker came on the scene last December, when he defeated Andy Ruiz to capture the vacant WBO world title.

"I had a good meeting with AJ [on Tuesday] - it's his goal to try and become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world by the close of 2018 so, at present, to do that we must go through Parker and Wilder," Hearn told Sky Sports.

The big issue in making Joshua vs. Parker, for now, is the financial split.

According to Higgins, Hearn offered an 80-20 split in favor of Joshua. He wants something better for his fighter.

Hearn is planning to spend the next few days speaking with Higgins to see if they can get on the same page in terms of the money.

"I spoke to David Higgins [on Tuesday night] and we are discussing the deal and fight in depth over the next few days to see if there is some common ground," Hearn said.

"Like all these big fights it's never easy but hopefully we can find somewhere between reality and fantasy that suits all."