Heavyweight boxing moved closer to having an undisputed world champion after it was announced Sunday that Britain&#39;s Anthony Joshua and New Zealand&#39;s Joseph Parker will meet for a multiple title bout in Cardiff on March 31.

Joshua will put his World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation belts on the line against Parker, the World Boxing Organisation champion.

Matchroom Boxing, Joshua&#39;s promoters, said the bout would take place at the 74,500 capacity Principality Stadium, best known for staging Wales rugby union internationals.

&quot;I would like to announce the official news that myself and Joseph Parker will be fighting on March 31 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff,&quot; said Joshua.

&quot;It is a unification heavyweight championship fight. We all know what happened last time I was in a unification heavyweight championship fight -- it was gruelling, it was interesting and we both left the ring with masses of respect,&quot; the 28-year-old added.

&quot;These fights aren&#39;t easy because there is a lot on the line, so respect to team Parker for taking the challenge. I am looking forward to it, training camp is underway and before you know it March 31 will be upon us.&quot;

Joshua, the London 2012 Olympic super-heavyweight champion, unified the WBA and IBF titles with a dramatic and hard-fought win over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in April before retaining both belts against Carlos Takam in a late-stoppage win in Cardiff in October.

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&mdash; Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) <a href="https://twitter.com/anthonyfjoshua/status/952493462124990464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Parker, 26, became the WBO champion in December 2016.

He made his British debut last year with majority points win over challenger Hughie Fury, a cousin of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

Parker&#39;s performance against Fury did not impress some ringside observers.

But Parker was adamant his punching power would test Joshua.

&quot;Anthony Joshua is in for a huge shock,&quot; he said. &quot;A couple of months ago I heard him say &#39;why should I be worried about this little kid from New Zealand&#39;?

&quot;Well, now he&#39;s about to find out. And the world is about to find out whether AJ can really take a punch.&nbsp;

&quot;My entire existence is now devoted to proving what the boxing world already knows.&quot;

Sunday&#39;s announcement concluded weeks of sometimes fraught talks between the two camps.

&quot;I&#39;m delighted to get this fight made &ndash;- it&#39;s been a long time coming,&quot; said Joshua&rsquo;s promoter Eddie Hearn.&nbsp;

&quot;Champions should fight champions and AJ continue to step up to the challenges.&quot;

&nbsp;

Joshua will fight Parker on March 31 in heavyweight unification bout at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium

Heavyweight boxing moved closer to having an undisputed world champion after it was announced Sunday that Britain's Anthony Joshua and New Zealand's Joseph Parker will meet for a multiple title bout in Cardiff on March 31. Joshua will put his World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation belts on the line against Parker, the World Boxing Organisation champion. Matchroom Boxing, Joshua's promoters, said the bout would take place at the 74,500 capacity Principality Stadium, best known for staging Wales rugby union internationals. "I would like to announce the official news that myself and Joseph Parker will be fighting on March 31 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff," said Joshua. "It is a unification heavyweight championship fight. We all know what happened last time I was in a unification heavyweight championship fight -- it was gruelling, it was interesting and we both left the ring with masses of respect," the 28-year-old added. "These fights aren't easy because there is a lot on the line, so respect to team Parker for taking the challenge. I am looking forward to it, training camp is underway and before you know it March 31 will be upon us." Joshua, the London 2012 Olympic super-heavyweight champion, unified the WBA and IBF titles with a dramatic and hard-fought win over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in April before retaining both belts against Carlos Takam in a late-stoppage win in Cardiff in October. ???????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/RS4NXgLX08 — Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) January 14, 2018 × Parker, 26, became the WBO champion in December 2016. He made his British debut last year with majority points win over challenger Hughie Fury, a cousin of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. Parker's performance against Fury did not impress some ringside observers. But Parker was adamant his punching power would test Joshua. "Anthony Joshua is in for a huge shock," he said. "A couple of months ago I heard him say 'why should I be worried about this little kid from New Zealand'? "Well, now he's about to find out. And the world is about to find out whether AJ can really take a punch. "My entire existence is now devoted to proving what the boxing world already knows." Sunday's announcement concluded weeks of sometimes fraught talks between the two camps. "I'm delighted to get this fight made –- it's been a long time coming," said Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn. "Champions should fight champions and AJ continue to step up to the challenges."

Anthony Joshua to fight Joseph Parker for world heavyweight title

Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua said on Wednesday (October 18) that he is in no rush to fight in the United States as he prepares to take on Frenchman Carlos Takam in Cardiff.

The British fighter defends his IBF world title against Takam on October 28 after Bulgaria&#39;s Kubrat Pulev withdrew due to a shoulder injury.

The fight will be 28-year-old Joshua&#39;s first since defeating Wladimir Klitschko to win the WBA title in April at Wembley Stadium.

Takam is ranked third in the IBF rankings and Joshua said will face a tough challenge against the 36-year-old due to the different style and height of his new opponent.

Joshua is undefeated in 19 fights since turning professional in 2013 and will face Cuban Luis Ortiz, the mandatory challenger for his WBA title, after the Takam fight.

Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua defends his IBF world title against Takam on October 28

Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua said on Wednesday (October 18) that he is in no rush to fight in the United States as he prepares to take on Frenchman Carlos Takam in Cardiff. The British fighter defends his IBF world title against Takam on October 28 after Bulgaria's Kubrat Pulev withdrew due to a shoulder injury. The fight will be 28-year-old Joshua's first since defeating Wladimir Klitschko to win the WBA title in April at Wembley Stadium. Takam is ranked third in the IBF rankings and Joshua said will face a tough challenge against the 36-year-old due to the different style and height of his new opponent. Joshua is undefeated in 19 fights since turning professional in 2013 and will face Cuban Luis Ortiz, the mandatory challenger for his WBA title, after the Takam fight.

Joshua says he is in no rush to fight in the U.S

A mouthwatering world heavyweight title showdown early next year between Britain&#39;s Anthony Joshua and former champion Wladimir Klitschko took a major step closer on Wednesday after the WBA sanctioned it.

The exciting Joshua, 27, who won the IBF title in April after it was voluntarily vacated by troubled compatriot Tyson Fury, must first come through the defence of his belt against solid journeyman Eric Molina in December in Manchester.

Joshua&#39;s manager Eddie Hearn had originally hoped the Klitschko clash would take place in December, but they had to wait on the WBA decision.

In the meantime, Hearn acknowledged there was risk in taking on 34-year-old Molina, whose previous world title contest saw him push WBC holder Deontay Wilder to nine rounds in June 2015.

&quot;It&#39;s been an arduous wait to gain official approval but we were delighted to receive the news that the WBA will officially sanction the fight between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko for the WBA super title,&quot; Hearn said on www.matchroomboxing.com.

&quot;We will now move forward with (Klitschko&#39;s manager) Bernd Boente and Team Klitschko in planning the date and venue knowing that victory against Eric Molina in Manchester on December 10 is more important than ever.&quot;

Matchroom said the fight would be staged in &quot;spring 2017&quot;.

While it has been a momentous year for 2012 Olympic champion Joshua, who boasts a 17-0 record with all victories by knock-out, it has been a frustrating one for 40-year-old Klitschko.

The Ukrainian had hoped to regain the IBF, WBO and WBA belts which he lost to Fury in a stunning upset last November.

His rematch with Fury for the WBA and WBO belts had been set for July 9, only for an injury to force the British fighter out.

Fury then pulled out of a second bout scheduled for late October because of depression and he vacated the WBA and WBO belts so he could focus on battling his mental turmoil.

(AFP)

Joshua must first come through the defence of his belt against solid journeyman Eric Molina in December in Manchester

A mouthwatering world heavyweight title showdown early next year between Britain's Anthony Joshua and former champion Wladimir Klitschko took a major step closer on Wednesday after the WBA sanctioned it. The exciting Joshua, 27, who won the IBF title in April after it was voluntarily vacated by troubled compatriot Tyson Fury, must first come through the defence of his belt against solid journeyman Eric Molina in December in Manchester. Joshua's manager Eddie Hearn had originally hoped the Klitschko clash would take place in December, but they had to wait on the WBA decision. In the meantime, Hearn acknowledged there was risk in taking on 34-year-old Molina, whose previous world title contest saw him push WBC holder Deontay Wilder to nine rounds in June 2015. "It's been an arduous wait to gain official approval but we were delighted to receive the news that the WBA will officially sanction the fight between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko for the WBA super title," Hearn said on www.matchroomboxing.com. "We will now move forward with (Klitschko's manager) Bernd Boente and Team Klitschko in planning the date and venue knowing that victory against Eric Molina in Manchester on December 10 is more important than ever." Matchroom said the fight would be staged in "spring 2017". While it has been a momentous year for 2012 Olympic champion Joshua, who boasts a 17-0 record with all victories by knock-out, it has been a frustrating one for 40-year-old Klitschko. The Ukrainian had hoped to regain the IBF, WBO and WBA belts which he lost to Fury in a stunning upset last November. His rematch with Fury for the WBA and WBO belts had been set for July 9, only for an injury to force the British fighter out. Fury then pulled out of a second bout scheduled for late October because of depression and he vacated the WBA and WBO belts so he could focus on battling his mental turmoil. (AFP)

Joshua vs Klitschko: WBA sanction world heavyweight title for early next year

Anthony&nbsp;Joshua&nbsp;will put his IBF world heavyweight title on the line against American Eric Molina in Manchester on December&nbsp;10, the British fighter&#39;s camp said on Tuesday.

&quot;I&#39;m expecting this to be the toughest fight of my career so far and I will be ready for an all-out war,&quot;&nbsp;Joshua, who will be making his second defence of the belt, said in a statement.

In April, he stopped American Dominic Breazeale in the seventh round to take his professional record to 17-0.

Molina, 34, has fought for the world title once before, losing to Deontay Wilder for the WBC crown in 2015.

Joshua&nbsp;had been linked to a potential clash with veteran Wladimir Klitschko who lost his IBF, WBO and WBA belts to Tyson Fury last November. Klitschko hopes of a re-match were scuppered by Fury&#39;s mental health issues.

That fight could take place early next year, according to&nbsp;Joshua&#39;s promoter Eddie Hearn.

&quot;Although the plans are for a major unification in the spring this fight requires Anthony&#39;s full focus,&quot; Hearn said.

Unbeaten Anthony Joshua expects 'toughest fight' when he takes on Eric Molina, after his proposed bout with Klitschko fell through

Anthony Joshua will put his IBF world heavyweight title on the line against American Eric Molina in Manchester on December 10, the British fighter's camp said on Tuesday. "I'm expecting this to be the toughest fight of my career so far and I will be ready for an all-out war," Joshua, who will be making his second defence of the belt, said in a statement. In April, he stopped American Dominic Breazeale in the seventh round to take his professional record to 17-0. Molina, 34, has fought for the world title once before, losing to Deontay Wilder for the WBC crown in 2015. Joshua had been linked to a potential clash with veteran Wladimir Klitschko who lost his IBF, WBO and WBA belts to Tyson Fury last November. Klitschko hopes of a re-match were scuppered by Fury's mental health issues. That fight could take place early next year, according to Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn. "Although the plans are for a major unification in the spring this fight requires Anthony's full focus," Hearn said.

Joshua to fight Molina in heavyweight title defence

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Anthony Joshua to fight Joseph Parker for world heavyweight title

Joshua says he is in no rush to fight in the U.S

Joshua vs Klitschko: WBA sanction world heavyweight title for early next year

Joshua to fight Molina in heavyweight title defence