ANTHONY JOSHUA is moving closer to agreeing a deal to fight Tyson Fury in May or June, with talks ‘progressing really well’.
The pair of heavyweight champions verbally agreed a double header in principle earlier in the year.
But after AJ dealt with his mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev in style, knocking the Bulgarian out in December, the path appeared clearer.
Now his promoter Eddie Hearn is in negotiations with Fury’s side, repped by the legendary Bob Arum.
And Hearn revealed paperwork is being exchanged with a two-fight deal believed to be in the works, which could total £500million.
He told SirusXM: “We’re close. Backwards and forwards with contracts at the moment.
“Things have been progressing really well over the last week.
“I really believe you will see that fight May/June, everyone’s working well in the right direction.”
WBA, IBF and WBO unified champion AJ revealed he is ready to share the profits with his great rival equally and reassured fans the pair will finally share the ring.
But he and Fury are sweating on whether, for the first time in history, all four of the heavyweight belts will be on the line.
The Gypsy King has not fought since he brutally dethroned Deontay Wilder, 35, of the WBC crown in February.
And to force through a fight with AJ, Fury attempted to walk away from his contracted trilogy with Wilder, believing the stipulation expired in October.
The Bronze Bomber hit back by launching a legal case, which is yet to be resolved.
And AJ faces his own headache with the WBO mandating him to fight No1 ranked contender Oleksandr Usyk next.
Joshua has already confirmed he is willing to vacate the belt in order to fight Fury.
But Ukrainian Usyk hinted he would step aside to allow AJ and Fury to contest for all of the heavyweight marbles.
He told SunSport: “All four belts might end up in the same hands of one person.
“It might be a once in a lifetime opportunity. We should all talk and communicate for that to happen because it is a really big event.”
