Alex Krassyuk - the promoter of Oleksandr Usyk - has indicated that an undisputed heavyweight title with Tyson Fury is "very close" to being finalised.
Ever since Usyk successfully came through his rematch with Anthony Joshua in August, there has been talk of a showdown with Fury with the main four heavyweight title belts on the line.
Usyk is in possession of the IBF, WBA and WBO titles, while Fury holds the WBC version which he is defending against Dereck Chisora in London on Saturday night.
As well as Chisora attempting to upset the process with a shock win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, there is also the situation with IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic.
That particular governing body has order Usyk to defend against Hrgovic in his next fight, and it is unclear whether the Croatian is prepared to accept a step-aside fee to allow the Ukrainian belt holder to face Fury.
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Nevertheless, according to Krassyuk, he feels that his fighter and Fury will lock horns between February 18 and March 4, the only window of opportunity for a fight to take place.
As an orthodox Christian, Usyk fasts in the period up to Easter, and he is unlikely to return to the ring until August if he does not fight before March 4.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Krassyuk said: "We are very close. This fight is almost about to happen. This is a historical fight.
"It is a special moment for Usyk because he has a chance to unify the belts in two divisions, being the cruiserweight undisputed champion and becoming the undisputed champion at heavyweight. He can't miss this opportunity.
"From Usyk's point of view, Usyk is ready to take this challenge. All we need is Tyson Fury's yes to go with, how he used to say, a Ukrainian rabbit middleweight. He will get bitten and his belt will go to Ukraine."
A fight between Usyk and Fury is highly likely to take place in the Middle East if a deal can be finalised before the end of the year.
Darren Plant
