WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury confirmed an earlier report that a two-fight deal with Anthony Joshua, who holds the WBA, WBO, IBF, IBO titles - is in place for 2021.
Before any of that can happen, Fury must overcome a trilogy fight with Deontay Wilder. And Joshua has to get past his mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev.
Both of those contracted fights are targeted to take place before the end of the year. The dates and locations are unknown at the moment.
Fury made it clear that he has to "smash Wilder" in order to move forward and "annihilate Joshua."
"I'm just after getting off the phone with [MTK founder] Daniel Kinahan. He's just informed me that the biggest fight in British boxing history has just been agreed," said Fury. "Big shout out Dan, he got this done, literally over the line, a two-fight deal, Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua next year.
"One problem, I've just got to smash Deontay Wilder's face right in in the next fight, and then we go into the Joshua fight next year. So there we are, the Gypsy King versus AJ is on for next year but there's a hurdle in the road called the Bronze Bomber, AKA the Knockout King, and I will get right onto him and knock him spark out and then get onto the next fight."
Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, cautioned that numerous hurdles are in the way before a deal can be finalized for unification with Fury.
"We're making great progress," Hearn told Sky Sports. "There is still a lot to overcome. We are looking at venues and dates. We have the Dillian Whyte mandatory which is due before this fight. It's fair to say [Joshua and Fury] are in agreement regarding the financial terms of the fight.
"We've been talking to [Fury's management team] MTK, giving them the assurances from Joshua's side that all the details on the structure of the deal is approved from our side. And it is from Fury's side, as well. We're in a good place. It's fair to say that, in principle, both guys have agreed to that fight. Two fights.
"[There's] a lot to overcome in the meantime. We're moving in the right direction. I'm confident that both guys have giving their blessing for the fight to go ahead. The most difficult part of any deal is the financial element. I believe we're in a great place where both guys have agreed to what that should be. We have not signed contracts because there are still things to be worked out."