Anthony Joshua & Joseph Parker close to confirming heavyweight fight

Anthony Joshua beat Wladimir Klitschko to win the WBA heavyweight title in April 2017

Anthony Joshua's world heavyweight unification fight against Joseph Parker of New Zealand is poised to be confirmed.

The Briton, 28, holds the IBF and WBA belts, while Parker, due in London this weekend, is the WBO champion.

Reports suggest the fight will take place on 31 March, at Cardiff's Principality Stadium

Joshua then hopes to fight WBC holder Deontay Wilder -no boxer has held all four heavyweight belts simultaneously.

Parker's representative David Higgins has been in the UK since Monday to conclude negotiations and a news conference is expected next week.

Contracts are expected be signed and a statement will then be released by the fighters' respective promoters, Matchroom Boxing and Duco Events.

During lengthy talks towards the end of last year, the main stumbling block had been the splitting of proceeds - but agreement was reached and 25-year-old Parker will earn between 30-35%.

Joshua defended his two titles against Carlos Takam on 29 October at the Principality Stadium.

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