Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder will fight on the same night in Saudi Arabia on December 23, but against different opponents in Otto Wallin and Joseph Parker, respectively.
Former heavyweight champions Joshua and Wilder have long been touted for a bout despite both losing their world titles.
If both win their fights next month, it could finally pave the way for a meeting in early 2024.
Joshua will take on Swede Wallin after Wilder faces Parker on the undercard.
“I can’t predict the future but I know where I want to go, I know what I want to do,” Joshua told a press conference.
“I set out a plan at the start of this year and I’m sticking to that. I’m a man of my word and I stand firm on what I believe, and I believe I want to be three-time heavyweight champion of the world.
“And my first stop to that… Is putting on a demolishing job against Otto Wallin.”
Joshua lost his heavyweight belts to Oleksandr Usyk, while Wilder was defeated twice by Tyson Fury.
Joshua, 34, is promoted by Matchroom Boxing and Eddie Hearn, while 38-year-old Wilder has spent most of his career with Premier Boxing Champions and adviser Al Haymon, as well as being managed by Shelly Finkel.
Joshua is a two-time world champion with a record of 26 wins – including 23 stoppages – and three defeats.
Wilder is one of the greatest knockout punchers in heavyweight history, with 42 stoppages in 43 wins. The only blemishes on his record – two defeats and a draw – have been at the hands of Fury.
The up coming fights will be the latest high-profile sporting event to be hosted by Saudi Arabia, but the country’s increased involvement in global sport has proven controversial.
Saudi Arabia’s increasing desire to host elite sporting events – including boxing matches, an annual Formula 1 race and a bid for the 2034 World Cup – has brought scrutiny due to its poor human rights record.
Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince, said in September that he “does not care” about accusations the country is “sportswashing” – investing in sport and using high-profile events to quell criticism of its practices and improve its international reputation.
