On the back of Wilder defending his WBC title against Luis Ortiz is a barnstorming battle earlier this month, a lot on conversations have turned to a massive meeting for all the titles between the American and three-belt champion Joshua.
Joshua bids to add a fourth against Higgins’ charge Joseph Parker on March 31 in Cardiff and has been warned, alongside his own handler Eddie Hearn, not to overlook the New Zealander to a Wilder encounter.
“As a promoter, I know it’s our job to be looking ahead to analyze future possibilities,” Higgins exclusively told World Boxing News.
“There are two parts to the talk of Joshua v Wilder, and I’m surprised how public they’ve gone about this. It has a feeling of the various parties; Sky Sports, Eddie Hearn and ‘AJ’ almost accepting victory.
“It seems to have been a very serious and public discussion of what’s next, without much from them on the possibility of Parker winning, which by the way will not bother Joseph Parker or Kevin Barry at all.
“Joseph is quietly going about his work with his eyes only on Anthony Joshua.”
Asked how Joseph Parker has been following events from camp, Higgins stated the WBO ruler was just knuckling down to his work in preparation for the biggest fight of his life later this month.
“Better than anyone, he understands that it’s just him and Joshua in those ropes, and so he’ll be solely focused on ‘AJ’ and has a steely determination,” he pointed out.
“I think watching ‘The Gloves are Off’ on Sky Sports, you could see it in Joseph’s eyes he was very confident and very serious.
“We’ve made the deal, we’ve made the fight and now it’s all about Joseph Parker. My job is largely done.
“Of course I have a role with Eddie Hearn co-promoting and looking at contracts and all that, but frankly we are working well together and they are pretty professional and honest, so it’s really up to Joseph now and he knows that.
“But if Eddie and Joshua are overlooking Joseph I think they will be gravely mistaken,” added Higgins.
Wilder will be ringside at the Principality Stadium in his capacity as a Showtime analyst for the Joshua v Parker fight and will be able to run the rule first hand over who will eventually become his number one target.
Phil Jay is Editor of World Boxing News. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay
