Dereck Chisora and Joseph Parker appear to have agreed in principle to fight one another next, in a unique manner filmed and published by Matchroom Boxing.
Matchroom work with both heavyweights, and co-promoted Parker's unanimous decision win over New Zealand compatriot Junior Fa in Auckland on Feb. 27 as well as Chisora's respectable showing in defeat to the unbeaten Oleksandr Usyk on Halloween night. Both fights aired on DAZN in many parts of the world.
Parker and Chisora very nearly faced off before, only for the former WBO heavyweight titleholder to fall ill after a spider bite which forced the showdown to be scrapped.
Now, however, the two seem perfectly placed to try it again, with the winner likely to be in position for an eventual shot at the championship Parker once held.
In the video on Matchroom's YouTube channel, Chisora calls Parker via FaceTime and playfully taunts him, mocking the equipment the Kiwi is using in his gym at the time of the call.
However the two, who get on well outside the ring, soon agreed that it was time to finally face off between the ropes.
"I'm ready to rock and roll," Chisora said in the video. "Let's get the lawyers in."
"I'm ready for the first of May," Parker replied. "I'm ready for a great fight with you, and I'm ready for you to entertain us. Let's make it happen."
May 1 would be a quick turnaround for Parker, who went the full 12 rounds vs. Fa and cut a very frustrated figure through much of the bout but was preferred by the three ringside judges via wide decisions in a fight that felt much closer than that.
Nonetheless, Parker's manager recently claimed the bout would need to be set up quickly if it were to take place next, and that's exactly that the duo seem to be intent on doing.
Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury is being lined up for the summer in a superfight to unify all the main heavyweight titles while Usyk is expected to meet Joe Joyce for the interim WBO title around the same timeframe. With reports suggesting the Usyk-Joyce winner will be elevated to full champion the day after the AJ-Fury winner has achieved the first full unification since Lennox Lewis, that could set either Parker or Chisora up as the first WBO title challenger.
First of all, of course, comes the actual contract negotiations. Both Chisora and Parker are keen, but complete terms must be agreed before a fight date and venue can be officially confirmed.