Anthony Joshua has accepted WBC champion Tyson Fury's terms for an all-British heavyweight boxing fight on 3 December and is "awaiting a response", his management company has said.
Anthony Joshua Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Joshua's 258 Management and promoter Matchroom Boxing said they had "accepted all terms presented to us by Fury's team" last Friday but agreed to halt all communication due to the death of Queen Elizabeth.
"We are awaiting a response," they added.
Fury's promoter Frank Warren replied to 258's message on Twitter: "Contract will be with you very soon."
Former world champion Joshua, 32, suffered a second straight loss to Ukraine's WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO champion Oleksandr Usyk in a title rematch in Saudi Arabia last month.
Fury said last April he was retiring but the unbeaten heavyweight this month challenged Joshua directly to a 'Battle of Britain' title fight.
"Anthony Joshua, I know you've just lost a fight to Usyk and you're bout-less at the moment, and I'd like to give you an opportunity to fight me for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world and the lineal championship in the next few months," he said.
"You're coming off a 12-round fight, so you're match fit, you're ready. I'm giving you a few months' notice," added the 34-year-old.
There is a rematch clause with a 50-50 split if Joshua beats Fury, but the venue for the December fight, should it go ahead, is yet to be confirmed.
Cardiff's Principality Stadium has been mooted, while Saudi Arabia or another country in the Middle East could also host it.
There are still hurdles to overcome before the fight is finalised, with both fighters signed to rival promoters and broadcasters, although two-time champion Joshua this week entered the WBC rankings in sixth position in another significant development.
A boxer must be ranked in the top 15 by all governing bodies to challenge for a world title.
-Reuters/BBC