Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn is hoping to finalize a deal in the very near future, for a high stakes unification between WBA, IBO, IBF champion Anthony Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs) and WBO champion Joseph Parker (24-0, 18 KOs).
The two sides have been negotiating for several months.
They are getting very close to the finishing touches on the financial split, which for some time was stuck at 65-35 in Joshua's favor. They started at 50-50, before Parker's side went down to 60-40 and then held firm on 65-35 as the deal inched closer.
Hearn is scouting several potential dates in the months of March and April, with numerous venues under consideration.
"We're getting there. As AJ says, he wants the belts, he wants to be the undisputed king of the division. That's the aim, and to do that he has to win two belts," Hearn tells Sky Sports.
"We're looking at March 24, March 31 and April 7 as potential dates for his next fight, with various different venues in London and Wales, even other venues and cities around Europe as well.
"We want that unification fight, we're close to a deal with Parker - it's not done yet but we hope over the Christmas period, the turkey will get put to one side and we'll work to get that done. Hopefully we'll be in position to announce that early in 2018."
The winner would likely be paired against WBC world champion Deontay Wilder (39-0, 38 KOs) by the end of the year. Wilder is heading to a March world title defense against Luis Ortiz of Cuba.
The big issue in making Joshua vs. Wilder is the financial split. Wilder wants an even 50-50 split for the Joshua clash.
"AJ is that Willy Wonka fight - the golden ticket, the one everybody wants. A lot of people are talking 'I want this, I want that' but if you really want it be realistic and come get it," Hearn said.