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Anthony Joshua relishes unification fight with Joseph Parker as deal edges closer, says Eddie Hearn

Anthony Joshua, Eddie Hearn
Image: Anthony Joshua has told Eddie Hearn he is eager to face Joseph Parker in a unification fight

Anthony Joshua has issued a "let me at him" message as promoter Eddie Hearn closes to within "single digits" of agreeing a unification clash with Joseph Parker.

Following fresh talks this morning, Hearn is edging closer to a deal for Joshua to put his WBA 'super' and IBF belts at stake against WBO champion Parker, in one of the most significant heavyweight fights in recent years.

Joshua reacted angrily after a prolonged media campaign from Parker's team and has urged the Matchroom boss to make the bout for early next year.

Hearn told Sky Sports News: "We are single digits, percentages away right now, and we have to be creative. We have to look at the revenue streams. We are already talking about potential venues, potential dates, so it's a good sign.

They have done a good job on Anthony Joshua, because his message to me last night was very simple, 'let me at him.'
Eddie Hearn

"I believe they want the fight. They have done a good job on Anthony Joshua, because his message to me last night was very simple, 'let me at him.'

'AJ-Parker agreement pretty close'
'AJ-Parker agreement pretty close'

Joseph Parker's promoter David Higgins feels counterpart Eddie Hearn is "pretty close" to agreeing the unification split

"He's winding him up, he's pushing the right buttons to get the bite out of Anthony Joshua and Anthony wants to fight Joseph Parker. He wants to do a job on him and we hope it's the next fight for the spring."

Joshua is also eager to face WBC champion Deontay Wilder as he attempts to become the division's undisputed champion and Hearn's father Barry held further negotiations with the American's advisor in New York last week.

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Deontay Wilder
Image: Negotiations are ongoing for Joshua to face Deontay Wilder next year

"Yes, talks there are ongoing," said Hearn. "We're certainly further away on the Deontay Wilder fight, in terms of expectations on both sides, then we are with the Joseph Parker fight.

"My old man was in New York last week. I got him to have a little chat with Shelly Finkel. They are both the older generation of the sport, very good minds. Had a good meeting in New York, talking about the fight.

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Eddie Hearn gives an update on negotiations for Anthony Joshua to face Joseph Parker and Deontay Wilder in unification fights next year

"I think that one looks like one that could be for the summer. But my job is simple really. Anthony Joshua has told me: 'bring me the belts, I want to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world,' and to do that, he has to go through the champions."

Watch Sergey Kovalev vs Vyacheslav Shabranskyy, from Madison Square Garden, New York, in the early hours of Sunday, November 26, live on Sky Sports.

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