Tyson Fury v Dillian Whyte: Anthony Joshua in talks to step aside so Fury can fight Usyk next

Tyson Fury will face either Oleksandr Usyk in a fight for the undisputed heavyweight title next or defend his WBC crown against mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte.

Fury's promoters Bob Arum and Frank Warren have been pushing for Whyte to agree terms but simultaneously speaking to Anthony Joshua's team about stepping aside so Fury can fight Usyk next.

An agreement for either fight is expected to be reached by Wednesday when the Fury v Whyte purse bids will take place.

Whyte is adamant he deserves more than a 20% cut of the fight revenue, the split ordered by the WBC, and purse bids for the fight have been postponed three times while talks continue.

Team Fury have become frustrated with the delays having already pencilled in Fury to fight on 26 March in Cardiff, and the offer to Joshua to step aside offer could pressure Whyte into agreeing terms.

Should purse bids take place, rival promoters will be able to bid to stage Fury v Whyte.

Eddie Hearn promotes Joshua and Whyte and is fielding step-side offers for Joshua as well as trying to finalise a deal for Whyte v Fury. Whyte's ongoing dispute with the WBC has complicated matters, with the 'Bodysnatcher' furious at the time it has taken for him to be installed as mandatory challenger and the suggested purse split.

The WBC has a history of delaying mandatory challenger fights if a major bout is agreed — and an fight between Fury and Usyk for the undisputed title would certainly meet that criterion.

The Telegraphexternal-link reported Joshua was open to accepting a £15m offer to step aside from his projected April fight date with Usyk to allow the Ukrainian to fight Fury in the Middle East.

Joshua activated his rematch clause with Usyk after he was beaten convincingly on points in