Hard not to conclude Hearn doesn't want to make either fight. I suspect Hearn will probably sign Joshua up for something meaningless next like Dillian Whyte II.
Hearn has already confirmed that 25% is too low for Parker. He will take 30+% and so he should. Huge payday for him
I would like them to fight 50/50,60-40,65-35 don't care as a fan but Joshua brings in all the money and holds the upperhand I'm afraid. JP's team have gone from not budging from 40% to going down to 35% and Hearn is laughing at them. Hope they settle on 30% and fight.
Hearn only needs to make the Parker fight and the Wilder fight. After that he has all the belts and can fight who he likes, and pay them peanuts. It doesn't matter what he pays Parker, who cares. Wilder will want 50/50 or it doesn't get done. The Parker fight can be made.
The Parker fight could already have been made if Hearn wanted it. But does he, when they can already pay everyone else peanuts now? Hearn has a licence to print money at the moment. Why would he jeopardize it by taking risks?
That's right. No one likes paying overs for anything, but at the end of the day if he wants those belts he will have to pay. If he doesn't make the Parker fight and Parker loses to anyone else, do you think they will demand any less money now? Not a chance.
I honestly think they don't give two hoots about the belts but if those belts bring in extra money then they will take it. If Tyson Fury was around there would be no talk at all about anyone else because that fight will bring in huge money.. He isn't atm so they look at the other two belt holders and work out what they can make out of them... Having a belt is irrelevant because it isn't bring in any extra money... If Hearn can get a deal that they feel is acceptable then the fights will go ahead.. I'd say Parker will get done at 70/30 but unless Wilder budges on his 50/50 that fight will never get made.. It then up to Parker to work out if it is worth it compared to other fight around i.e. Browne..
I can see them making the Browne fight then coming back to the table. Even though it's less money, no one likes being stiffed in negotiations. I think Hearn must be playing higgins, and Higgins knows it. He will take the money at 30% if it's offered. I think Hearn will try and drive a harder bargain though.
Once Duco are convinced Eddie Hearn doesn't want Joshua to fight Parker, and they must be close to thinking that now, I think Parker will announce Lucas Browne or Bryant Jennings as his next opponent. Joshua will then fight someone other than Parker and Wilder, perhaps Dillian Whyte.
The curve ball is Parker's contract with Duco is rumoured to be up late next year. I think they'll be pushing this fight through prior to then.
I’ve no doubt this will get made and it’s going to be brutal. RIP Parker and Duco. Enjoy your retirement fund.
Yeah Hearn and Joshua have said the belts don't matter before when they were looking to rematch Wlad and it looked like they might be stripped. Hearn is all about making the best fights and best money, having the belts would be nice but they are not a priority which is why he won't want to over pay too much. Fact is the belts don't mean as much as they used to. Holmes and Wlad were never undisputed but nobody doubts they dominated their era and are ATG's. Joshua doesn't need the belts as much as Duco thinks, it's quickly become apparent to them they don't have as much leverage as they thought. Hearn will play hard ball and squeeze as much as he can out of Higgins, partly because he knows whatever split he gives Parker, Wilder will want more when they come to negotiate.