Eddie Hearn has given Tyson Fury's until the end of this week to resolve issues with Deontay Wilder and confirm a fight with Anthony Joshua.

Fury had announced earlier this week that the unification clash was “100% on” for August 14, adding: “I cannot wait to smash Anthony Joshua on the biggest stage of all time.”

However, contractual problems with Wilder have now put those plans in doubt.

An arbitration ruling in the United States, which can be legally binding, has decided that Fury is contractually bound to fulfil a third meeting with Wilder.

While the decision would not necessarily scupper a Fury-Joshua deal, it would require Fury’s team to summon a substantial pay-off in order to convince Wilder to temporarily step aside.

And it would also seemingly scupper hopes that the deal struck by Fury and Joshua could include a clause for an immediate rematch between the pair.

Fury and Wilder fought a split-decision draw in December 2018 in Los Angeles, before Fury won their second meeting by seventh-round stoppage in February last year.

PA

PA

Attempts to secure a third fight were complicated by an injury to Wilder and an absence of available television dates, prompting Fury to move on based on the assumption that any agreement had expired.

Following the announcement of the arbitrator’s decision, Fury posted on his Instagram story with a message across a background photo of Wilder with new trainer Malik Scott.

“What a joke @bronzebomber has become. Asked for 20 million to move over #joker,” Fury wrote in the post before hinting that he might have to fight Wilder again.

“Looks like I have to crack his skull again," he added.

Speaking on Matchroom’s social media channels on Tuesday, Hearn had stressed the need for Fury’s camp to find a swift resolution.

“We can’t wait around,” Hearn said. “We had a deal in place with Tyson Fury and we were told the arbitration wouldn’t be an issue, that we could move on with this fight.

“They were wrong and that’s on them, that’s their responsibility and their problem.

“We hope they can solve that problem, but we have to look after ourselves and Anthony Joshua.

“We have to maintain the position of unified world champion, and those talks will continue and we want to be in a position by the end of this week to know, are we fighting Tyson Fury or are we moving forward with another option?”