Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua fighting without a title would not detract from the scale of the event, says Top Rank's Todd DuBoef.
Fury and Joshua have a long-standing rivalry, but the two Britons have yet to box. Both were previously world heavyweight champions, although they failed to regain the titles in 2024.
Oleksandr Usyk repeated his points victory over Fury in their December rematch, while Daniel Dubois knocked out Joshua in their September IBF Championship clash.
Still, 2025 could be the year Fury and Joshua finally box, even without the world championship belts.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sky Sports' Andy Scott, Barry Jones and Barry Smith discuss whether Anthony Joshua is still the face of British boxing
Todd DuBoef, president of Top Rank, which promotes Fury, said Sky Sports: “There are still two great fighters in the ring. The end.
“I think brands are so strong,” he continued. “In the UK, the country would stop for an hour to see what's going on and I think that's a wonderful thing.
“They've created an incredible fan base and a passion for who they are. So I always think that's where it lives.”
But first, DuBoef says, both Fury and Joshua have to choose, not just whether they want to box each other, but whether they want to box at all.
“That daily hard training, that discipline,” he said. “They have to decide if this is what they want to do.”
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Joshua shared a heartfelt speech against Daniel Dubois after defeat, saying he has 'a lot more to bring' in the future
DuBoef explained: “I think they both have to decide if they want to fight, let alone against each other. I've always said over the years that two brands and two fan bases for both of them are so big and so wonderfully connected to them, that fight is always there.
“I still believe the feud is always there. They're like peanut butter and jelly, Joshua and Fury, they go together.
“I think it's always there, but they have to dig deep and decide if they want it, not that, but if they want to get in the ring. Do they want to go back to training?”
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
We've rounded up some of the most shocking defeats ever seen in boxing, including Mike Tyson, Anthony Joshua and more!
'I'm going again'
Joshua has shown that he is interested in fighting his British rival. “2025, I'm targeting Tyson Fury,” Joshua said on his way to meet Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
Referring to the Dubois fight, he added, “It makes me hungry, it makes me work harder. Time is of the essence, time is limited, so I just want to put in more work.
“Looking back, I believe I could have done more in 2024. I have one more chance in 2025 to do more and I will try to take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way.
“I should have won, but I didn't and I'm going again.
“My life is up and down so I have to get used to the turbulent times and keep riding the wave.
“I can't stop now. I have to keep going until I reach my destination.”