David Higgins has defended what boxing pundits described as a laughable press conference, labelling it the most effective promotion they have ever done.
The Duco boss fronted media in Auckland on Wednesday along with his charge Joseph Parker - as they looked to pile the pressure on Anthony Joshua's team to accept a heavyweight championship unification fight against the Kiwi.
Team Parker released a video of Joshua being rocked and dropped to the canvas in both the amateur and professional ranks.
The video has been panned by British media and Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua's promoter, who described it as something his eight-year-old daughter could have made.
Higgins disagreed, noting that the boxing world is finally talking about a Joseph Parker v Anthony Joshua bout.
"Joseph is on ESPN and the BBC with credible and balanced reporting," he said.
"We are doing his job for him, [Hearn] he is sitting there trying to pay us a low percentage, maybe he should start promoting the fight then we will pay him more than 65 percent.
"He is sitting there is his manor in London like Mr Burns from the Simpsons, only slightly younger and better looking."
The sticking point is money, with Hearn reluctant to budge on Team Parker's demands of a 35 percent cut of the fight purse and an open book on any profit made regarding the promotion of the fight, TV rights and pay per view buys.
Hearn scoffed at the demands, referring to Higgins as 'mental' and rubbishing the near 30-minute press conference.
Higgins said Hearn was side tracking the entire point - that Joshua has a weak jaw.
"I'll pay credit to Eddie Hearn, he totally avoided talking about Joshua's glass draw, instead he talked about our press conference being held in a broom cupboard.
"That was a good diversion tactic - congratulations Eddie.
"Parker has earned the right to unify the titles and set his family up for life, something Joshua and Hearn have already done. Be fair to Joseph and let's make this fight happen."
"I expected a backlash. We thought they may try and deal with the glass jaw issue but the avoided the facts and focused on side issues."
Higgins was in conversation with Hearn as late as Wednesday evening via text message.
Despite Hearn's mocking of Duco's handling of the press conference, Higgins is confident they can get a deal done implying that there is a bit of good old fashioned boxing promotion at play.
"I said to him 'let's make this fight Eddie. If you try and discredit us from a position of power and privilege then that means war!" Higgins said.
He responded with "David you are one of a kind mate, we are going to have some fun with this."
"It's a bit of banter but we are also dead serious on the purse split.
"The fight happens once he agrees to or fair terms."
Newshub.
