Deontay Wilder

Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, flew out to the United States last week for talks with WBC heavyweight champion Wilder's promoters over a unification fight.

Hearn has also been in touch with Joseph Parker over a potential fight with the WBO strap holder next year.

IBF and WBA champion Joshua is eager to do battle with Wilder, but only if the right deal can be struck.

Speaking courtesy of Sports Tonight/Dubai Eye 103.8, Joshua said when asked if the Wilder fight is the one he wants next year: "Yeah why not?

Unification is the catchword for 2018 after Britain's Anthony Joshua defended his WBA and IBF titles against Carlos Takam last weekend.

Parker, the WBO champion, is the third fighter in the equation and Wilder was brutal in his assessment of the Kiwi's talent and campaign.

Parker attended Wilder's last fight in February, when the American took his record to 38-0 against Gerald Washington, and spoke of his hopes of getting in the ring with him. But with Parker bogged down with a mandatory defence against Hughie Fury, the Wilder fight hasn't eventuated.

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.

Undefeated Wilder beat Stiverne in January 2015 to win the WBC belt - the only one of his 38 fights to go the distance - and has successfully defended his title five times since.

However, a proposed defence against Luis Ortiz at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn fell through when the former WBA champion failed a drug test.

It was followed by Anthony Joshua's Principality Stadium showdown against Kubrat Pulev being changed late on when the Bulgarian suffered a shoulder injury. IBO, WBA, IBF champion Joshua takes on Carlos Takam in Cardiff on Saturday.

Parker defended his WBO world heavyweight title against Hughie Fury in Manchester on September 24, getting a controversial majority points decision 114-114, 118-110, 118-110.

The Fury camp has been up in arms about the decision, appealing to the British Boxing Board of Control who handled the fight for the WBO, and pleading for a rematch.

The Parker camp, backed by many pundits, believe their man won comfortably, though admitted the scoring by two judges who handed 10 of the 12 rounds to the Kiwi were a little generous.READ MORE:
 

Fury pulled out of his May 6 fight with Parker in Auckland for the WBO heavyweight title, citing a back injury.

That has left Paker's handlers scrambling for a last-minute opponent with the WBO quickly sanctioning a voluntary defence against one of their other top 15 fighters.

It's understood Duco Events are making good progress and hope to announce a credible opponent on Wednesday or Thursday.

Wilder beat Gerald Washington with a fifth round knockout to retain his WBC title in Alabama yesterday.

RNZ reports Washington extended his unbeaten career to 38 with 37 knockouts.

Parker, who meets Hughie Fury in May, attended Wilder's fight.

Website fightnews.com says Wilder and Parker spoke after the fight, with the American saying he wants to unify the belts.