IN a surreal press conference Joseph Parker, the WBO heavyweight titlist, attempted to position himself for a shot at Anthony Joshua by listing the times the IBF and WBA champion has been dropped or wobbled, while insisting he wonโt accept anything less 35% of the proceeds of a potential unification.
His promoter David Higgins declared, โKids around the world dream of becoming heavyweight champion so they can set up their family for life.โ
โIf a mandatory is 30%, whatโs a global unification? Itโs got to be worth 35% for us because itโs an intercontinental event that will only happen once every 10 years,โ he continued. โThe onus is now on Eddie Hearn and Anthony Joshua to back up their words.
โEven at 35% theyโre going to make more money unifying so there are no excuses.โ
These pronouncement do not bode well for negotiations. But Higgins went on to talk up his man’s chances, claiming that โParker has a granite chin whereas Joshua may possibly have a glass jaw. Joshuaโs been dropped numerous times, dropped as an amateur dropped in sparring, dropped in the ring.โ
He added, โIn contrast Joseph Parker has a granite chin. Joseph Parker has never been dropped.โ
To emphasise their point Higgins are offering a ยฃ20,000 bounty to anyone who finds footage of Joseph Parker being dropped.
โThe only thing thatโs disrespectful is Hearn and Joshuaโs low ball offer to Joseph Parker,โ the New Zealanderโs promoter said.
โWe want the opportunity to test your chin so much that weโll let you keep 65% of the profit, even though itโs an intercontinental unification. You have no excuses, show Parker some respect, letโs make the fight.โ