Boxing promoter Frank Warren has claimed Anthony Joshua has had two chances to fight Tyson Fury.
However, that ship appears to have sailed with the duo currently unlikely to ever face each other.
Joshua is currently preparing for Saturday night, with the 34-year-old primed to face Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia.
Fury, meanwhile, is gearing up for his fight with Oleksandr Usyk on February 17.
Boxing news: Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury currently look unlikely to ever meet in the ring
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And Warren has now claimed Joshua has twice had the chance to fight Fury - only for neither party to ever find an agreement.
When asked about a potential showdown between the two Britons, the 71-year-old said: "He'd have a long wait for Tyson.
"Tyson's got his fight and his programme's set out for next year and at this moment in time doesn't include Joshua.
"Joshua, he had two opportunities to fight him [Fury], one last December and this year.
"Those fights didn't happen for whatever reason and the situation is now that we are in a position where a number of big fights will be announced.
"It all depends what happens on Saturday."
Warren does, however, expect Joshua to seek a fight with Deontay Wilder if the pair win their respective fights at the weekend.
Wilder is also preparing to box in Saudi, with the American scheduled to go up against Joseph Parker.
And Warren added: "The joint-main events have a lot of significance as far as boxing's concerned in as much that Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder are involved in quite tasty and tough fights and should they come through then they're going to be in a position where I believe they're going to be facing off next year.
"That's a massive, massive fight.
"A fight that a lot of people, certainly the fans talk about a lot.
"But to get there they've got to get through next Saturday night in Riyadh.
"Get it out of the way on Saturday and all will be revealed but there's a will to make this happen and I'm quite sure everybody's going to be happy with the outcome provided these guys deliver.
"The most important thing for them, they've got to deliver."
Meanwhile, Wallin recently discussed his upcoming showdown with Joshua.
He expressed a belief that, while Joshua remains one of the best figures in the sport, he's also now a man past his best.
He said: "I would say he is still one of the best heavyweights out there and he's made an amazing career for himself.
"There has been a decline and I think he has reached his peak already.
"I think he is mentally fragile, he's not sure of himself.
"He's changed trainer and I think things can be very tough for him.
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Anthony Joshua has been tipped to finally fight Deontay Wilder by boxing promoter Frank Warren
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"People are very critical of him, he's got a lot of pressure. So I think that weighs on him."
When asked about Joshua changing his trainer, he continued: "I think it's a problem for him, for sure.
"I've had my trainer now for 10 years.
"We know each other really well. We trust each other in and out of the ring.
"He's been with me for all of my pro fights except two, so it's really been a good journey together and it's fantastic we get this chance now to prove to everyone what we've been working on.
"For Joshua, it's hard. When you keep changing trainer, it's usually a bad sign and I think it's a bad sign for him too."
