Heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua sees Joseph Parker as a tougher challenge than Deontay Wilder, according to his promoter Eddie Hearn.
There's plenty of talk about a showdown between Joshua and Wilder even with the Parker fight still to come on April 1st (NZ time).
WBC champion Wilder squares off against Cuban Luis Ortiz in New York on Sunday (NZ time) and if the 32-year-old wins, he will face off against the winner of Parker and Joshua later in the year.
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- Eddie Hearn agrees with Deontay Wilder's assessment of Anthony Joshua's weakness
Parker will face Joshua in a unification bout for the Kiwi's WBO title, and the Brit's IBF and WBA crowns at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
"Make no mistake, I was with Anthony Joshua this morning, he wants to fight Deontay Wilder. He sees that as an easier fight potentially than the Joseph Parker fight," Hearn told Sky Sports UK.
"The plan is to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. He's got to deal with Parker first on March 31, it's a tough fight.
"After that, Deontay is coming to Cardiff, we can sit down, we can get that fight made. No problems from our side."
Wilder has held the WBC title since 2015 and has won all 39 of his professional fights, with only one of those victories being by a point's decision.
Due to the impressive record, Wilder is requesting a 50-50 split, something that Hearn won't give the American.
"Wilder was talking about he wants a 50-50 split. This is ridiculous, we're going to have three belts, he's got one.
"He's doing his thing in America. Now he's saying that he will take any split, as long as that split is reversed in the rematch. No problem with that. Again, pick up the phone, call me Deontay. It's very easy, we can get it done over a cup of tea and a slice of cake.
"America is fine. We'll do two fights. There are loads of different ways we can do the fight, but let's just get it made."
Wilder has accused Hearn of "milking the cow" by avoiding him and taking much easier fighters.
"Talking of milking the cow, I think Deontay's got a chip on his shoulder because his udders are dry," Hearn said.
"He's making very small money and needs a new promoter. I don't think he has a promoter at the moment, so if he doesn't - Deontay just pick up the phone, drop me a line. We'll get this AJ fight, we'll make you some real money.
"He's WBC champion, he's a great fighter, who is a great personality. But for this camp he's been like a one-man salesman, just travelling around the globe, trying to sell his own fight. He should be in camp. This (Ortiz) is a proper fight, his first real test."
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