Tyson Fury is on course to face Anthony Joshua later this year, according to promoter Spencer Brown, who is overseeing Fury’s proposed comeback bout against Arslankbek Makhmudov.
Brown told Sky Sports that a long-anticipated showdown between the two British heavyweights could finally materialise, provided Fury secures victory over Makhmudov.
"Let's go. Boxing at the moment is in a very special place," Brown told Sky Sports. "It would just be phenomenal. It will be the World Cup final of boxing, for me anyway.
"We've wanted it for a long time, it's now time… I think so."
Negotiation failures
Fury and Joshua have come close to meeting in the ring on multiple occasions, but negotiations have repeatedly collapsed due to contract disputes, fitness concerns, and defeats suffered elsewhere.
Their camps were reportedly nearing an agreement before Joshua opted to step away from boxing following a car crash in December that resulted in the deaths of two close friends and trainers.
The 36-year-old Joshua has since returned to training and was present at Derek Chisora’s defeat to Deontay Wilder last Saturday.
"I don't necessarily think it has to be next for AJ after what he's been through and what he's seen," Brown said.
"I think he's got two decisions to make. Goes in and has a warm-up fight. He's got to pick the right opponent.
"AJ either does that or he goes: 'You know what, I've had my warm-up fight, I'm going into camp, I'm going to do the best I can and I'm going to beat Tyson Fury' and then we're on. We're all on."
