Parker tougher than Wilder, claims Joshua

Anthony Joshua views Joseph Parker as a tougher fight than Deontay Wilder.

IBF and WBA champion Joshua takes on WBO champ Parker in Cardiff on March 31.

WBC champion Wilder fights dangerous Cuban Luis Ortiz in New York on Sunday and needs to win to stay in the heavyweight world title unification mix.

Wilder is desperate to fight Joshua and the big Brit’s promoter Eddie Hearn is willing to accommodate that if the timing and terms are right.

“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 said in the UK.

“The plan is to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. He’s got to deal with Parker first, 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.”

But Hearn again made it clear that Wilder’s ongoing demands for an even slice of the profits from a fight with Joshua wouldn’t eventuate.

“Wilder was talking about he wants a 50-50 split. This is ridiculous, we’re going to have three belts, he’s got one,” Hearn said, getting a little ahead of himself considering Parker could be the boxer walking out of the Cardiff ring with three titles if he can upset Joshua.

Parker is getting about a third of the deal for his clash with Joshua.

Wilder has accused Hearn of “milking the cow” by dodging him and taking other fights for Joshua.

“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.”