Rendall Munroe will meet Mexican Victor Terrazas in a final eliminator for the WBC world super-bantamweight title.
Leicester southpaw Munroe expects the battle for the right to challenge for Toshiaki Nishioka's crown to take place in next February or March.
The WBC have mandated the fight and the fighter's promoters HG Boxing and Frank Maloney, who handles Munroe can have private negotiations until January 14.
If no agreement is reached, the fight will go to immediate purse bids.
Maloney said: "I am meeting Rendall and his manager Mike Shinfield at Millwall's FA Cup tie against Derby County on January 2.
"We will sit down then and discuss the fight and discuss the options available to us.
"Obviously we would like to avoid purse bids and bring Terrazas to England, but appreciate how hard that might be.
"Whatever happens, at least Rendall knows he is just one win away from the fight he wants so much."
Terrazas (25-1-1) was knocked out on his pro debut in March 2003, but has remained unbeaten since then.
The 26-year-old has won 13 fights inside the distance and holds the Mexican super-bantamweight and WBC FECARBOX featherweight titles
Munroe (20-1) currently holds the Commonwealth and European super-bantamweight crowns.
