Tyson Fury will fight Deontay Wilder early next year, according to promoter Frank Warren.
The pair fought to a controversial draw last December with Wilder fortunate to escape with his world title and unbeaten record intact.
They were due to rematch this month but Fury has opted to instead take on the unknown Tom Schwarz in Las Vegas on June 15.
Wilder knocked out Dominic Breazeale in the first round on Saturday night and is expected to rematch Luis Ortiz later this year.
The race will then be on between Fury and Anthony Joshua for a tilt at Wilder in the new year.
But Warren is convinced his man will share the ring with Wilder before his countryman.
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"That fight will happen, I’m absolutely convinced of it," he told talkSPORT . "I'm sure it’s going to happen early next year.
"I was hoping it would happen by the end of the year but Tyson’s got a commitment on June 15 and then Deontay's got a fight in autumn.
"Hopefully after those two fights, these guys will get it on."
Wilder meanwhile is adamant he will fight Joshua in a unification clash.
He said: "It will happen. I believe in all my heart it will happen.
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"I don't want this to be a (Lennox) Lewis and (Riddick) Bowe situation.
"The heavyweight division is so lit right now, it's so on fire now, and I have an obligation to give the fans what they want. I always say how we can try, but it is going to come back around.
"And the next time it does, the discussion, the deal that me and Joshua are trying to make, then I think something is going to get done.
"Like I tell people, I just want them to have patience, and comes patience comes time. Let us have moments and let us do what we do. When things go silent, that's when the magic happens."
