Eddie Hearn: Anthony Joshua's next fight can be finalised 'next week'

Eddie Hearn has revealed that heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua could have his next fight confirmed within a week as a deal with Joseph Parker edges closer.

Joshua most recently defended his WBA and IBF heavyweight titles against Carlos Takam in Cardiff on 28 October and is set for his next fight.

Having outlined his goals of becoming the first champion to hold all four heavyweight belts, it looked like a deal for a fight with WBO title-holder Parker was recently set to be agreed on.

However, the New Zealander's camp was not happy with Hearn's low offer as they wanted a more generous split of the earnings a potential title unification bout would make.

The most recent development now though, is that an agreement could happen by next week according to Hearn, who states that Parker's promoter David Higgins might fly over to the UK to finalise a deal.

"We feel like there is a deal that can be in place with Parker and his team within the next week or so," Hearn told Sky Sports News. "There's a good chance [Parker's promoter] David Higgins will fly over in the next week to try and close the deal."

"Sometimes when you're this close you need to get face-to-face and eye-to-eye. Work on it, keep talking, no one goes home until you make the deal.

"There are two perfect fights for AJ - Parker and Deontay Wilder. The Wilder fight is unrealistic because of what they want. The Parker fight is a lot closer. Parker is the frontrunner, he's the guy we want. But we can't be in a position where this goes on for three weeks then falls through."

Hearn added that if there is no deal within two weeks, Joshua will be looking at other potential opponents as the Briton's next fight is being planned for late March or April.

As for where the location could be for Joshua's next fight, having fought in high-capacity stadiums across the UK in his last two fights, Hearn revealed: "We looked at The O2 but if it's a unification against Parker, why have a 16,000 attendance when you could have 80,000?"

"We have looked at the Principality Stadium and Twickenham. Major football stadiums don't want you using the pitch during the season."