Promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that he is hopeful Kell Brook and Amir Khan will finally meet next summer.
The long-term rivals have previously been linked with a highly-anticipated welterweight clash, but Khan's quest to fight either Floyd Mayweather Jr or Manny Pacquiao and Brook's perceived lack of credible opponents have got in the way.
However, Hearn hopes that IBF champion Brook can face mandatory challenger Kevin Bizier in North America before taking on Khan at Wembley Stadium in 2016.
Hearn told Sky Sports News: "We're pushing forward for the Amir Khan fight and we expect it to happen at the end of May or early June. In the meantime, if we have to deal with the mandatory then it's likely we'll travel to America to do it because it's more appealing there than here.
"Bizier has lost to Jo Jo Dan. He's a decent fighter but it's not the easiest to sell and we need to prepare for the Khan fight, which is what we're heading towards. It's all feet to the pedal on that - especially after him saying he hasn't got the Manny Pacquiao fight and will fight Kell Brook.
"We're speaking to their team and I believe the fight will happen. It's the biggest fight out there for both of them. It's common sense and I believe common sense will prevail."
Brook is currently contracted to face Diego Chaves after he suffered a rib injury ahead of their scheduled bout on October 24, but Hearn has indicated that facing Bizier could take priority with the governing body.
Darren Plant
