Unified heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua is accusing Kiwi Joseph Parker of wanting to sell his WBO title, as a response to his call-out yesterday in a press conference.
Duco Events has made no secret it won't accept a mere 20 percent of a purse for a unification fight, which is what has previously been put on the table.
Joshua, the current IBF, WBA and IBO champion, will fight either Parker or WBC champion Deontay Wilder in his next bout in a bid to hold all the major heavyweight belts.
But while he considers his next opponent, the 28-year-old has questioned Parker's sporting motives.
"You hear like Joseph Parker saying 'oh they offered like 20 percent of the pot and I'm not happy with that - I'm not fighting him for 20 percent'," Joshua told iFL TV. "Are you trying to sell yourself to fight?
"Are you trying to sell your belt? Some people contradict what they're saying."
Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, said he had already spoken to Parker's camp and will also talk to Wilder's camp later this week.
"I spoke to David Higgins [on Tuesday night], and we are discussing the deal and fight in depth over the next few days, to see if there is some common ground," Hearn told the Sky Sports UK.
"I'm sitting down with [Wilder's representatives] Shelly Finkel and Al Haymon later this week, to have our first conversations regarding Joshua vs Wilder.
"I had a good meeting with AJ [on Tuesday]. It's his goal to try and become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world by the close of 2018 and to do that, we must go through Parker and Wilder.
Wilder defeated Bermane Stiverne on the weekend, extending his unbeaten record to 39-0. After the fight, he called out Joshua in extreme fashion.
"I've been waiting on that fight for a long time now," said Wilder. "I declare war upon you. Do you accept my challenge?
"I've been waiting for a long time. I know I'm the champion, I know I'm the best. Are you up for the test?"
Joshua told iFL TV he was caught off guard by Wilder calling him out.
"Deontay has called me out, which I did not expect, as I've not seen any contract or offer in place," Joshua said.
"I've had to take it on, in my time off, to make plans to travel to America and discuss negotiations, so I can become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
"I have been taking challenges throughout my career - even as an amateur I was doing that - and I fought for a world title in my 16th professional fight.
"I've never been in the business of ducking, anyway. I'm not afraid of anyone."
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