The much talked about heavyweight battle of Britain clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua could finally be happening before the end of the year.

Fury's promoter, Frank Warren, has revealed that AJ's team will be receiving an official written offer for a fight with the Gypsy King, to be staged in the UK later this year.

There has been some jousting on social media ahead of the official proposal, with Fury calling out Joshua and offering the Watford man a shot at his WBC world heavyweight title.

AJ swiftly Tweeted "I'll be ready in December" in response to Fury's offer and it seems the British pair may be ready to rumble.

Joshua on a recovery mission

AJ lost his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk last year, before the 32-year-old took the Ukrainian on for a second time in August, but again the Watford man came up short.

It was certainly an improved showing from Joshua in the second fight, but his pulling power in terms of world titles has now been hugely diminished.

Usyk doesn't seem to have an appetite to fight again this year and, while AJ is still a very popular boxer, a fight against Fury is the only avenue to a world title available to him.

Ts & Cs have to be agreed

There seems a genuine desire to make this mega fight happen, particularly from Joshua's side, however, as always, money talks in boxing and the terms have to be right for the bout to be signed.

Fury is unbeaten, the Gypsy King is the biggest draw in heavyweight boxing both in the UK and the US and the Morecambe man is of course the WBC champion.

Fury has made it clear that he believes a deal can be done, saying: "This is an easy fight to make normal champion to challenger privileges & I'm 100% serious."

Warren also seems confident that the bout will go ahead this year. Speaking to Talksport, the promoter said: "It's perfect timing I think for AJ to accept it. He should grab this with both hands in my opinion. I'm not going to be bad-mouthing the other side, all we're interested in doing is making this fight."

However, it's likely that negotiations will last a fair while before an agreement is reached.

Undisputed Usyk clash in the background

Immediately after Joshua was defeated in a rematch against Usyk, Fury called out the Ukrainian in a bid to secure a mega undisputed heavyweight title fight, with the winner able to walk away with all four major belts.

That huge showdown remains in the background, but the Cat has ruled out a bout with the Gypsy King for this year at least.

Speaking after a period of reflection, Usyk said: "It won't happen this year, that's for sure. As I said earlier at the presser, I'm totally healthy and don't have any injuries, but I have old traumas which have resurfaced and which need to be treated.

"I will need up to two months to recuperate."

With Fury having been in with Deontay Wilder on three occasions and also Dillian Whyte in recent times, there isn't an opponent in the heavyweight ranks who could generate as much interest and pay-per-view sales as AJ.

Who is likely to be victorious?

Fury is the 2/9 favourite to win the battle of Britain, while Joshua is rated a 3/1 underdog, but it's not certain to be as clear cut as the prices suggest.

AJ produced one of the best performances of his career in defeat against Usyk last time out and the Ukrainian is one of the modern greats, who still doesn't get the credit he deserves, while Joshua's efforts have probably been underrated too.

Fury is unbeaten, but not impenetrable. The Morecambe man is a brilliant boxer, but he was knocked down four times by Wilder and he also hit the canvas in bouts against Neven Pajkic and Steve Cunningham.

That potential fragility gives Joshua hope, but AJ will have plenty to deal with himself.

It's an intriguing contest and a fight which would no doubt break all British boxing viewing records. Let's hope we get to see it sometime soon.

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