Knockout year for boxing as Anthony Joshua confirmed to fight Joseph Parker for heavyweight crowns in Cardiff

Undefeated heavyweight champions Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker are confirmed to put their belts on the line in Cardiff on March 31.

World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation belt holder Joshua and World Boxing Organisation champion Parker will go toe-to-toe in the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital.

The long rumoured bout, which had stalled over financial demands, was confirmed on Twitter by Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn.

Joshua is 20-0 with 20 knockouts while Parker is 24-0 with 18 wins by knockout.

Briton Joshua, 28, has expressed his desire to unify the belts in 2018 and begins his quest against the 26-year-old New Zealand fighter in the same venue where he defended his titles last against Carlos Takam last October.

Parker’s camp had been desperate to hold a unification match-up with Joshua and held a press conference last November where they showed video footage of the Briton being floored during his time as an amateur.

They also offered to pay £10,000 to anyone who could provide further footage.