Tyson Fury has piled the pressure on Dillian Whyte to resolve his dispute with the WBC by demanding a fight by the end of February.
Fury had originally planned to return to the ring in March or April but now wants to defend his title within the next three months.
A fight between Fury and Whyte was expected to be ordered by the WBC earlier this week but the organisation delayed their decision because of an ongoing legal issue between.
Following their meeting last February, Fury had to wait over 18 months for his trilogy fight with Deontay Wilder.
And promoter Bob Arum revealed the heavyweight does not want to waste any more time on the sidelines.
"He told me he wants to fight by the end of February," Arum told Boxing Social. "He was off for so long between the Wilder fights and that's what Frank and I are going to deliver for him. I think Frank as a hold on that indoor arena in Cardiff."
Fury has one fight left on his deal with Arum's Top Rank.
The Brit has not fought on home turf since 2018 with his last five fights taking place in the US.
Arum thinks Fury "owes" his British fans a fight and encourages a potential Whyte clash in the UK as the American public "doesn't know" who he is.
Top Rank has demanded an 80/20 fight purse split in favour of Fury, something Matchroom Boxing's Eddie Hearn has labelled as " outrageous ".
And Arum isn't surprised the WBC didn't order Fury's fight with Whyte due to the ongoing legal issue.
"Why would they order it when they're being sued and the case is in arbitration? They're pretty p***** off the WBC is with Whyte," he continued.
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"Eddie Hearn doesn't understand the market in the United States, doesn't understand these organisations.
"If Joshua says he wants to go right into the Usyk fight, which he can. Legally, he has the right.
"Then Tyson will fight Whyte if Whyte is reasonable with the purse, if he's not we'll fight Joe Joyce.
"It's all moving parts, but certainly before Christmas it will all sort itself out."
A conflict of interest could be caused if Fury is to face Joyce as both men are signed to Frank Warren's Queensbury Promotions.
Fury has previously rated the Olympic silver medalist Joyce over the likes of Anthony Joshua and Whyte as his toughest domestic rival.
Joyce is undefeated in 13 fights since turning professional in 2017 and last stopped the gritty Carlos Takam to retain his Commonwealth title in July.
