Tyson Fury's next opponent could be confirmed as early as next week with the WBC set to make a decision on Dillian Whyte's position.
The Brit was set for a heavyweight clash against Otto Wallin on Saturday evening but pulled out from the bout with a shoulder injury.
Whyte, along with his promoter Eddie Hearn, have made it clear they believe that the bout should not be rescheduled and he should get his heavyweight title shot instead.
The 33-year-old has waited over 600 days for his chance to win the belt and, had he beaten Wallin, would have seen his status as mandatory challenger strengthened.
A final decision on whether Whyte has to reschedule his bout against Wallin or whether the WBC will mandate a fight against Fury could be made as early as next week, Sky Sports states.
The WBC had already ruled that Fury must defend his belt unless a unification bout with Oleksandr Usyk was agreed but the Ukrainian is contracted to a rematch with Anthony Joshua, a clause the defeated triple heavyweight champion has activated.
The situation should now be clarified very shortly, with a bout against Whyte likely to take place in early 2022 if ordered.
Fury's promoter Bob Arum has suggested the Gypsy King will return to the ring in March or April 'at the latest', naming Whyte as a potential opponent.
Should Whyte be ordered to reschedule his bout with Wallin, then Joe Joyce would be the leading candidate to face off against Fury.
Following that, a unification bout with either Usyk or Joshua is the fight fans want to see and could take place next summer.
