As previously reported, the World Boxing Association has finally sanctioned a fight between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko for its "super" heavyweight title.
The fight will take place in the spring of 2017, but only if Joshua beats Eric Molina on December 10 in the British boxer's second defence of his IBF title.
The WBA super belt is vacant after Tyson Fury relinquished it last month, citing "clinical depression." Fury beat Klitschko in November last year to take the WBA, IBF, IBO and WBO titles off the Ukrainian boxer.
"We will now move forward with Bernd Boente (Klitschko's manager) and Team Klitschko in planning the date and venue,'' Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, said on Wednesday, "knowing that victory against Eric Molina in Manchester on December 10 is more important than ever."
Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker will fight Mexican Andy Ruiz on December 10 at a venue to be confirmed for the WBO title that Fury was also forced to relinquish. Parker was an option for Joshua's December fight for the IBF belt but instead focussed on the vacant WBO title when Joshua's camp tried to arrange a bout with Klitschko.
Hearn blamed confusion over whether the WBA title would be on the line.
The WBA also confirmed that 44-year-old American Shannon Briggs will fight Australian boxer Lucas Browne for the "regular'' title on or before December 31.
Browne feels Briggs is far more deserving of this opportunity than someone like former champion David Haye.
Browne exclusively told Sky Sports: "Coming off a two- to three-year lay-off and coming back fighting two bums basically, how does that get you No 1 ranked in all three belts and then a world title shot by fighting two people that aren't ranked and no one knows? I don't think he deserves anything, no."
"Just in regards to the UK fans, it's good that I can actually fight someone like Shannon Briggs that David Haye has avoided. I know that David Haye said that if he did fight on his undercard and win, then he would fight him. I believe he has ducked him because he's too dangerous, but here I am fighting Shannon Briggs now.
"From my point of view, I think it's going to be an all-out war, two big boys, ready to bang and stand there, to give the crowd a good fight. As far as I'm aware, it has to be before December 31. Other than that, it's all up in the air, obviously it's the first day. I would love to have it here in Australia. I've been speaking to Shannon as well and he has no problem with coming to Australia. The only thing obviously is the money value. We need someone to come across with some dollars to back it up. There still is the chance of it going to America, possibly UK, even China. There are a few options there."