Tyson Fury's father, John, has claimed a fight between his son and Anthony Joshua is unlikely to ever happen.
Fans have long wanted to see the two Britons face each other, with the pair regularly exchanging verbal blows.
Fury is currently focused on a bout with Oleksandr Usyk, however, with that fight set to take place on February 17 in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua, meanwhile, is hopeful of beating the formidable Otto Wallin in the Middle East this Saturday.
Boxing news: John Fury says a fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is unlikely to ever happen
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Fury has frequently accused his countryman of ducking a showdown, insisting he and his camp have long attempted to broker a deal.
And now his father, John, has seemingly put years of rumours to bed.
Speaking to Boxing Social, via Freebets.com, he said a showdown would be the 'biggest ever'. However, he also feels it's unlikely to ever happen.
He stated: “No, I think that one’s flew. That bird’s flew.
"That boat’s sailed. Unless AJ keeps winning, he gets past Wallin, he beats Wilder, Tyson is undisputed champion.
"Guess what? Game on. The biggest fight ever to grace a TV screen.
"It’s the stuff dreams are made of isn’t it?
"I would love nothing better. I think that will never ever be equalled.”
John also believes Joshua faces a potential 'banana skin' in Wallin, who pushed Fury all the way when they met four years ago.
“AJ’s got his own problems," he added.
"And that’ll be the case of Lennox Lewis and Riddick Bowe – the fight that never took place.
"He’s gotta get through the 23rd, and then he’s fighting Wilder, so he’s got two Everests to climb before he gets to Tyson.
"At the end of the day, he had his chance didn’t he? And they flunked it.
"All that’s down is put AJ in a slippery situation. Both fights aren’t banana skins, he can get beat.
"He’s every chance of getting beat by Wallin.”
The news is a hammer blow to boxing fans who have frequently called on Fury and Joshua to settle the arguments once and for all.
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Boxing news: Anthony Joshua is preparing to fight Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia this weekend
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And it comes after boxing promoter Frank Warren recently claimed Joshua had twice been offered the chance to fight Fury.
Warren was speaking ahead of this weekend's action.
And the 71-year-old said: "He'd [Joshua] 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.
Boxing news: Tyson Fury is due to face Oleksandr Usyk on February 17 with that battle previously delayed
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"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."
