Tyson Fury has set Anthony Joshua a deadline of Monday to sign a contract for their hugely anticipated all-British showdown or forget about facing him for the world heavyweight title.
There have been protracted talks between the two camps of World Boxing Council champion Fury and Joshua, a former holder of the sportโs other major heavyweight titles.
Only last week the deal, based upon a 60-40 split in Furyโs favour, was said to have been accepted by Joshuaโs management team.
Veteran promoter Frank Warren said a contract had been sent to Joshuaโs camp.
Eddie Hearn, the promoter of Joshua, added minor issues remained to be resolved ahead of a fight expected to take place before the end of this year.
Fury, however, is now convinced Joshua is trying to back out, prompting an expletive-filled social media post about his rival on Friday.
He remained highly critical, if more measured when talking about Joshua on Saturday.
โI was optimistic about three weeks ago but it shouldnโt be taking this long to sign a contract,โ Fury said in a video posted on the Twitter feed of Queensberry Promotions.
โWeโll know by Monday anyway because if itโs not done by Monday then Iโm moving on.โ
โIโm not waiting around for some guy whoโs lost three of his last five fights. Heโs lucky that Iโm giving him a world title shot.โ
The 34-year-old added: โHe is an invited guest at my party โ my rules. So, if you want to play the game, come to the banquet and take your seat.โ
Warren, however, remained optimistic the fight would go ahead, telling BT Sport: โThere is a meeting taking place on Monday and I am hoping that is going to resolve what I feel is just a few outstanding issues, not for us, but it seems for them.
โLetโs hope they are good as their word and they donโt duck out of it.โ
Fury made the offer for a โBattle of Britainโ bout with Joshua after it emerged Oleksandr Usyk, the WBO, IBF and WBA champion, had ruled out fighting again until early next year.
Joshua, 32, suffered his second straight loss to the Ukrainian in Saudi Arabia last month.
Fury announced he was retiring on his 34th birthday last month, having previously performed a number of U-turns over his future in the sport.
But in a video posted on social media earlier this month, he challenged Joshua to a showdown.
