Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that he is hoping to secure a heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua for later this year.
Joshua took out Charles Martin in two rounds on Saturday to claim the IBF crown and immediately set his sights on domestic rival Fury, who defeated Wladimir Klitschko to win the WBA and WBO titles last November.
Fury has set July 9 as the date for his rematch with Klitschko, setting the scene for a potential bout with Joshua in November.
David Haye has also been touted as a possible next opponent for Joshua, but Hearn said that it would have to wait until 2017.
"I think that's unrealistic. As much as Haye wants the fight, he knows it's a proper fight and that fight is going to build and grow," Hearn told Sky Sports News.
"Tyson Fury is our pick before that because he has got the belts, the other two belts, and I think a unification fight has to be a priority.
"Haye against Joshua is a massive fight, probably realistically next spring or summer but Fury could be one for 2016."
Hearn added that he has already begun discussions with Fury's trainer and uncle Peter Fury about the unification bout.
Neil Wilkes
