Anthony Joshua news: AJ to pocket £13million purse as he agrees Cardiff unification fight with Joseph Parker

ANTHONY JOSHUA could rake in around £13million when he makes the first step towards unifying the heavyweight division against Joseph Parker.

The IBF and WBA Super champion will take on Parker for his WBO crown, with the Principality Stadium in Cardiff the likely venue at the end of March.

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Kiwi Parker, 25, who successfully defended his title against Hughie Fury in September, will pick up a career best purse approaching £7m.

He demanded a third share of all proceeds from the fight and appears to have got his way.

Saturday, March 31, has been pencilled in as the date, although Joshua’s promoters Matchroom admit it could be moved back a week.

A problem for Sky TV, who will exclusively screen the bout on pay- per-view, is David Haye’s rematch with Tony Bellew on May 5 — also on pay-per-view.

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Sky chiefs want as much daylight as possible between those two fights for them to market both fully.

An insider admitted: “A contract has been sent to Parker’s team in New Zealand and Matchroom are waiting for it to be signed and returned to London.

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“Some minor details have yet to be agreed but no one is anticipating too much trouble in getting the fight over the line.” Joshua, 28, has already fought at the Principality Stadium, beating Carlos Takam with a tenth-round TKO back in October.

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The Cardiff venue has big advantages over London’s O2 and Twickenham,   the other alternatives, especially with its retractable roof.

Parker’s promoter, David Higgins of Duco Events, said: “We’re really, really close. We’ve agreed the most important thing which is the ratio. The rest should flow from there.

“The Joshua side have made a small compromise on the purse ratio and we have agreed between 30 and 35 per cent.

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“Both camps are happy and that is the most important part of the deal.

“I requested the same contract as Klitschko v Joshua. I even found a lawyer in London who acted for Klitschko on that deal.

“There are key things to work out. We are discussing rematch clauses. If Joe wins, we have secured 55 per cent for him. If Joe loses, we’d like some rematch or downside cover.”