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Joseph Parker's Team Put Camp Nou Forward As Possible Venue For Joshua Fight

Joseph Parker's Team Put Camp Nou Forward As Possible Venue For Joshua Fight

The two heavyweight titlists look certain to go head-to-head early in 2018 as they both hope to unify the division.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Joseph Parker and his team have put Barcelona's Camp Nou on a list of potential venues as the New Zealander looks to fight Anthony Joshua at the beginning of next year.

Ever since there were WBA, WBO, WBC and IBF titles available at heavyweight no man has held all four of those world titles. Right now in the division three men hold them but we could be getting close to the time when it's just one man hording the belts.

Anthony Joshua holds the WBA and IBF versions, Deontay Wilder has the WBC belt and Joseph Parker is in possession of the WBO title. If one man beats another then a fight with the third is inevitable.

Wilder with his version of the world title. Image: PA Images.

A lot of people want to see AJ in the ring with the Bronze Bomber but that looks like it will have to wait as negotiations between Eddie Hearn, who represents Joshua, and Parker's people have been advancing.

Speaking to Sky Sports on Thursday morning David Higgins, a director at Duco Events revealed that Barcelona's Camp Nou is a potential venue for their fight, saying:

"The reason I threw Barcelona out there, is because I know the English love to go to Spain and there will be a lot of expats in Spain. It's a short flight. That stadium is massive. They're not in need of tourists, they probably think they have too many, but if it's off the main tourist season then as an economic thing, it would stack up.

"A lot of English would go for a week in Spain. I'm throwing it out there as a possibility, without having any discussions with them."

Joshua with his titles, he also holds the IBO version, after beating Carlos Takam in his last fight. Image: PA Images.

Parker's last defence was against Hughie Fury. Image: PA Images.

Parker's camp have spoken about wanting a 35% split in the money and it does seem like negotiations are getting closer to be completed. There was also confirmation that Joshua would have a rematch clause with Higgins adding:

"Joshua does have big commercial pull, so they have every right to expect a bigger share of the pie, which we are giving them, and a rematch clause. We have confidence in our guy Parker and his chin. We think he wins."

The fight would likely be in March or April- it's sure to be a big one.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Joseph Parker, Barcelona, Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, Camp Nou