Tyson Fury

WBC heavyweight champion Wilder has long been talking with Anthony Joshua about a unification bout but, even with Wembley Stadium secured for the Briton for April, no contract has been agreed.

Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, touted a fight between Wilder and Dillian Whyte at the weekend, too, but it now appears that the American will instead face Fury. 

Fury (26-0) ended a two-and-a-half-year absence by beating Sefer Seferi in June and faces Francesco Pianeta in August, before turning his attentions to Wilder (40-0). 

The 26-year-old is not convinced the 6ft9 Briton offers much insight into the type of bout they can expect in Cardiff.

Speaking to Andrew Gourdie and Jim Kayes on RadioLIVE, Parker admits he appreciates the support, but is happy with the sparring partners they have assembled.

"Tyson Fury's a great guy, but with all due respect to him, I don't think it's the right person to spar because he moves around well for a big guy and he doesn't come forward, and he's a lot taller.

Having resolved his case with UK Anti-Doping three days ago with both parties agreeing to backdate his two-year absence as a ban, the 29-year-old former World Boxing Organisation, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association world heavyweight champion is free to become a prize fighter once more.

In his first interview since then, he revealed the dark days of his depression "when life itself seemed pointless" - and said his main aim next year was a British superfight with Anthony Joshua.

Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has accepted a backdated two-year doping ban, freeing him to fight again if he regains his boxing license.

Fury and cousin Hughie, who lost on points to Joseph Parker in September, had elevated levels of nandrolone in urine samples provided after fights in February 2015, UK Anti-Doping said. The bans were backdated to December 13, 2015, and expired at midnight on Tuesday.

Fury is desperately keen to return to the ring but first must clear his name and get his boxing licence back.

Fury, 29, a former heavyweight champion, and his cousin and fellow heavyweight fighter Hughie, 23, tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone in February 2015.

Media waited at the hearing location for as long as six hours before leaving in frustration and filing reports of the boxer's absence.

Members of the tribunal were sent home after 3pm but UKAD would not say if the hearing officially started or not.

The former world heavyweight champion has not fought since defeating Wladimir Klitschko for three of the four major belts in November 2015.

Fury is without a licence and is still awaiting the resumption of a UKAD hearing after allegations of anti-doping violations were made against him.

Asked by Sky Sports if the process will recommence next month, British Boxing Board of Control general secretary Robert Smith said: "December, that's true.

Fury is even willing to put his money where his mouth is.

"If Anthony Joshua fights Joseph Parker I will bet anybody in the world £5000 cash the [that] Parker will ko him?" Fury, back in the gym and vowing to clear his name to re-enter the division, wrote on Twitter.

The Parker and Joshua camps continue to be at odds over the value of the fight, with Duco Events boss David Higgins seething over a low-ball offer from Hearn earlier in the week.

Fury has not fought since sensationally beating Wladimir Klitschko in Dusseldorf two years ago to claim the IBF, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles.

The 29-year-old gave up his belts last year amid a battle with mental health issues and had his licence revoked after allegations of a failed drugs test. 

British Boxing Board of Control general secretary Robert Smith said Fury's UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) hearing can resume when his legal team agree a date.

Higgins has engaged Joshua promoter Eddie Hearn in a verbal stoush after heavy criticism of Parker's recent laboured WBO title defence against Hughie Fury in Manchester.

Hearn said Parker's performance was "very poor" and meant he was a hard sell in the UK now with fans viewing the Kiwi as a "mismatch" against WBA and IBF champion Anthony Joshua.

Hearn felt Parker's effort had also devalued a potential clash with Tony Bellew, should Bellew get past David Haye in their juicy London rematch.

 Higgins is eager to make 2018 a major money year for his unbeaten champion.

Fury became IBF, WBO and WBA world champion when he shocked Wladimir Klitschko in Dusseldorf in November 2015, but he has not boxed since, with his weight fluctuating wildly during his time away from the sport.

The Briton does not have a licence to fight and said this month he would not be applying to the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) for a renewal, while Fury was further enraged by the organisation after his cousin Hughie lost to WBO champion Joseph Parker in September.