Anthony Joshua

AJ soft like England football - Team Parker

Higgins will on Wednesday outline the latest developments in negotiations for a unification fight between WBO champion Parker and Joshua, who holds the IBF and WBA belts.

Team Parker will also continue their claims around Joshua's supposed "glass jaw" and plan to produce video evidence of him being repeatedly taken to the canvas.

"There is a lot of hype and glamour. But we believe Joshua will fold at unification level like England fail to reach World Cup finals," Higgins told the Daily Mail.

Parker: I deserve respect, AJ

The WBO heavyweight champion has stoked up his rivalry with Joshua on social media and this morning called for a 40 per cent split in a unification clash with the WBA 'super' and IBF title holder.

Parker believes he has rightfully earned that cut of the fight purse by becoming an unbeaten champion with 24 victories, but remains hopeful that terms can be agreed following more negotiations.

Asked about the opening offer, Parker exclusively told Sky Sports: "I feel it's a little low, but they can improve on it.

Miller mocks AJ mentality

The unbeaten American targets a 20th victory against Mariusz Wach in New York in the early hours of Sunday morning, live on Sky Sports, with Miller hoping to edge closer to a world title shot.

Anthony Joshua defended his WBA 'super' and IBF belts with a 10th round stoppage win over Carlos Takam, but Miller was far from impressed with the champion's performance.

"What I have seen, heard, and the way he fights, he's a mental midget," Miller told Sky Sports. "Once I get there I'm shutting that down.

Barry: Parker can dethrone AJ

That's the firm belief of Parker's trainer Kevin Barry after he analysed Joshua's 10th round stoppage of durable Frenchman Carlos Takam to defend his IBF and WBA titles in Cardiff on Sunday (NZT).

All the attention now moves to Joshua's next opponent - with Parker, as WBO champion, and American Deontay Wilder as the WBC belt holder, the names on everyone lips as unification hopes come into the frame for 2018.

Joshua overcomes resolute Takam

Joshua's flawless professional record now stands at 20 victories and as many knockouts, but this was not a display to stand alongside his statement triumph over the great Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in April.

An accidental clash of heads in round two left the 28-year-old Briton mopping blood from his nose and mouth – Joshua claimed the nose was broken in his post-fight interview - and Takam felt his wrath two sessions later when a short left hook dropped him to the canvas.

Joshua ready to 'go to war'

Takam (35-3-1) stepped in at late notice for this weekend's WBA, IBF and IBO heavyweight title clash with Joshua after the Briton's original opponent Kubrat Pulev withdrew due to injury.

It meant a quick change in the 28-year-old's preparations for the bout in Cardiff, with Takam a very different fighter to Pulev.

But Joshua is relishing the challenge and knows he will need a different approach to topple his 36-year-old opponent and retain his belts.

Joshua plots Parker fight

The Daily Telegraph reported on Wednesday that Joshua, who holds the World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) crowns is looking to add the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) title held by Parker with a February 3 fight mooted for London.

Joshua, who fights Carlos Takam in Cardiff on Saturday (NZT Sunday), was "likely to target" Parker next, followed by "a blockbuster battle with Deontay Wilder", the World Boxing Council (WBC) champion.

Takam called in to fight Joshua

Joshua, who boasts a 19-0 professional record, was expected to put his belts on the line against Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev on October 29, however an injury to Pulev in sparring put the bout in doubt. 

On Tuesday (NZ time), the IBF No 1 and current mandatory contender was forced to withdraw due to the muscle tear in his shoulder and Takam was officially called in for the bout.

The 36-year-old currently sits immediately below Pulev in the IBF ratings, and was the top target for Joshua's manager Eddie Hearn should Pulev pull out of the fight.

Pulev pulls out of AJ fight

Unbeaten powerhouse Joshua was due to take on Bulgarian Pulev in his first fight since defending his IBF belt and claiming the WBA and IBO straps by defeating Wladimir Klitschko in an epic encounter at Wembley in April.

However, Pulev - the IBF's mandatory challenger - is not fit to participate in the bout, which was scheduled to take place in Cardiff on October 28, having strained muscles in a sparring session.

Promoters Matchroom confirmed the IBF's third-ranked fighter Takam as replacement for Pulev on Monday.

Parker 'no threat' to Joshua

     

Parker's majority points decision win over Hughie Fury in Manchester on Sunday (NZ Time) was described as underwhelming by the boxing press.

"Although Parker improved to 24-0 [with 18 knockouts] he did nothing to suggest that he poses a serious threat to the top dog in the division, Anthony Joshua," a report on thesweetscience.com website said.

It described the bout as "a fight without an indelible moment [no surprise there]."