Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder could fight in Las Vegas at the end of 2017, according to Showtime's Stephen Espinoza.
Sky Sports Box Office and Matchroom star Joshua (17-0-KO17) also has a deal involving the American TV network, making a unification bout with Wilder a possibility for the future.
With WBC holder Wilder (37-0-KO36) sidelined through injury, Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn revealed a shortlist of potential opponents for a November return and Bermane Stiverne and Kubrat Pulev are likely candidates to face the IBF champion.
Joshua, who has made it clear he wants to fight in America, has also been ordered to fight mandatory challenger Joseph Parker by the end of January and when those factors are considered, a fight with Wilder will probably have to wait until later on in 2017, according to Showtime boss Espinoza.
"Because of Deontay's injury and Joshua's impending mandatory, as well as other factors, I think we're looking at a fight in the winter of 2017," Espinoza told RingTV.com.
"That is the most realistic time as Deontay is out until late spring. Ideally, we want to get them both on track for a third or fourth quarter fight next year."
Wilder won the vacant WBC strap by outpointing Stiverne in 2015 and has since made five successful defences of the iconic green belt.
In his last outing, however, the 30-year-old broke his right hand and tore his bicep as he punished Chris Arreola before recording an eighth-round stoppage.
Joshua's reign as world champion has been a shorter one, but one that has also displayed devastating power.
The Brit demolished Charles Martin inside two rounds to win the IBF crown in April, before going on to stop Dominic Breazeale for his first successful defence.
A fight with Wilder would certainly be his toughest test to date and it is a fight Espinoza believes belongs on the grandest stage.
"Vegas is where that fight really deserves to be and it would be a huge occasion," he said.
"It's been a while since there's been a heavyweight title fight of that magnitude in Vegas and I think there's a lot of pent-up demand for it."