Anthony Joshua has promised a fight with Tyson Fury will happen 'sooner rather than later' ahead of his bout with Francis Ngannou on Friday.
For years boxing fans have longed to see the two Britons face off, with the pair regularly exchanging verbal blows at each other.
Joshua was written off by many after setbacks against the likes of Oleksandr Usyk and Andy Ruiz Jr in previous years.
The 34-year-old has rebuilt his reputation, however, after victories over Jermaine Franklin Jr, Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin last year.
Anthony Joshua has promised a fight with Tyson Fury with boxing fans on red alert
ITV
Joshua has today appeared on Good Morning Britain and was asked about a potential fight with Fury in the future.
And the boxing star promised the showdown will happen one day, saying 'mark my words' as he spoke.
"It is the golden question, I'd say sooner rather than later," said the Briton.
"It's in the pipeline, it's been bubbling for a long time and it has to happen.
"We are with you guys. We're talking about it, it's definitely going to happen sooner rather than later - mark my words."
When quizzed on whether he could provide specific details, Joshua added: "Not in depth like that (finding a location and date for the fight) but there's a map.
"For example, someone would say 'these are the checkpoints' and if I can complete these checkpoints then Fury's part of my journey and I'm part of his I'm sure as well - it would be silly not to."
Joshua bumped into John Fury, Tyson's father, in Riyadh prior to his fight with Ngannou.
And he thinks the 59-year-old also wants a fight to materialise, adding: "I didn't speak to him about it but I'm sure he does (want the fight) because as someone who is in the fight business, it's just us going to work.
"It's an opportunity to work and this is what we do for our livelihoods.
"I'm sure he's advising Fury to get in the ring, it's a great fight, lets see who is the best of Great Britain and for the public it would be amazing."
For now, however, Joshua's immediate focus is on Ngannou.
Few knew what to expect from the Cameroonian when he went up against Fury back in October.
But Ngannou surprised many with his excellent performance, with the former MMA sending Fury crashing to the canvas during their clash.
Joshua is, however, confident of putting his opponent to the sword.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Anthony Joshua will return to the ring this Friday when he faces off against Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia
GETTY
Yet Frank Warren, writing for the Daily Star, believes the 34-year-old will need to be at his best to secure victory.
"Would it surprise me if Anthony Joshua lost to Francis Ngannou? The simple answer is no," he said.
"That’s because we’ve seen what can happen when Joshua is hit flush on the chin.
"If Ngannou does that then this will be a real fight as we prepare to head to Saudi for another blockbuster show.
"The British heavyweight has at least one advantage that Tyson Fury didn’t have when he fought Ngannou last year.
Tyson Fury struggled against Francis Ngannou when they fought back in October
GETTY
"That’s because there is at least now footage to look at of how Ngannou is inside a boxing ring.
"When Fury faced him in October, he went in blind and got caught early in what could have been a huge banana skin.
"Joshua has at least the video footage to watch, can see Ngannou’s tells and can prepare.
"But the Cameroonian also now has 10 rounds of professional boxing under his belt which will give him more confidence.
"We’ve seen how powerful he is in the Octagon so Joshua needs to be wary."
