The Matchroom boss is hoping to meet Parker’s promoter David Higgins to thrash out a deal in the next few days, but says if things don’t progress quickly, Hearn will consider other options despite ‘AJ’ picking up another belt being the number one priority.
“We may look at a WBA mandatory, Dillian Whyte or going to the States to fight Jarrell Miller,” Hearn told Sky Sports News.
“There are options but the aim is to become the undisputed world heavyweight champion.
“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.
“We’ve got two weeks until we need to start making offers to other fighters, apart from Parker.
“There is no deadline but we want to fight at the end of March or the first week of April.
“You are only one phone call away from a completed deal,” he added.
As things stand, a fight with Deontay Wilder – many people’s number one choice – is being completely overlooked as a next option due to Hearn’s refusal to bow down to what he called ‘unrealistic demands’.
It seems Wilder may even be off the table for the summer unless negotiations are revised, by which time a WBA mandatory against the winner of Manuel Charr v Fres Oquendo and previously scheduled opponent Kubrat Pulev (IBF mandatory) will come into play.
Joshua is never short of options due to the kind of pulling power the Briton possesses, although Parker still has first refusal on an offer on the table which is reportedly lower than the 65-35 split the New Zealander has publicly asked for.
If Parker shuns the contract and Wilder won’t budge on his deal, Joshua could end up facing a year without the opportunity to add further to his title haul.
