Anthony Joshua to fight Joseph Parker at the Principality stadium in March
After months of intense negotiations both camps have finally agreed terms on the blockbuster showdown as the Brit puts his WBA and IBF titles on the line against the WBO champ from New Zealand
ANTHONY JOSHUA'S world unification fight with Joseph Parker has been confirmed for March 31.
After months of negotiations the pair will clash in a blockbuster showdown at Cardiff's Principality stadium as the Brit puts his WBA (Super) and IBF titles on the line against the New Zealander.
The 28-year-old told : "I like to fight, that's the main objective, and it's showing I'm never shy of a competition.
"He's a respectable competitor, he is the WBO heavyweight champion of the world, so it's like one step closer to adding a strap to my legacy, that's what makes it exciting."
Joshua's last fight was in Cardiff against Carlos Takam last August, when he stopped the Frenchman in ten rounds.
Parker is no stranger to fighting in the UK when he controversially squeezed past Hughie Fury in an unconvincing display in Manchester last September.
Joshua has a perferct record, winning all his 20 fights inside the distance.
Parker, 24, has won all his 24 pro fights, winning 18 by stoppage.
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The Kiwi said he was relieved the contractual negotiations had now been concluded as he could now fully focus on causing a huge upset in Wales.
He said: "Anthony Joshua is in for a huge shock, a couple of months ago I heard him say ‘why should I be worried about this little kid from New Zealand?'
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“Well, now he’s about to find out. And the world is about to find out whether AJ can really take a punch. My entire existence is now devoted to proving what the boxing world already knows.”
Joshua will look to beat Parker in style to set up another massive heavyweight clash with WBC champion Deontay Wilder, who faces Luis Ortiz a few weeks earlier in New York.
Promoter Eddier Hearn is delighted the fight has been rubber stamped after months of wrangling between the camps.
Hearn said: "I'm delighted to get this fight made, it's been a long time coming.
"Champions should fight champions and AJ continues to step up to the challenges.
"It's the first time in history that two reigning heavyweight world champions have met in Britain.
“It's a classic match-up between two young, fast, undefeated belt holders and it's going to be an explosive fight.
"This is another huge unification fight for Anthony as he continues to make history in the quest to become undisputed world heavyweight champion."