Tyson Fury is frustrated by the wait to confirm his fight with Anthony Joshua, Andy Lee has claimed.
Lee is part of Fury’s training setup and was last seen involved with Joseph Parker as the New Zealand heavyweight defeated Derek Chisora at the weekend.
Fury and Joshua have been in talks for the best part of half a year in pursuit of finalising a two-fight deal to become the undisputed heavyweight champion.
They are expected to meet in the summer in Saudi Arabia, and financial terms have been agreed between the two boxers, but no announcement has been made to confirm the details of the clash, and Fury, and both his promoters Frank Warren and Bob Arum, have all raised doubts about the likelihood of the fight.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Lee said that the inactivity is starting to rankle with Fury, but he is unsure if it may ultimately benefit the WBC champion.
"He is frustrated," Lee said.
"The end-date was February, then it was March, now we're still going on.
"He's very frustrated that the biggest, most powerful people in boxing (promoters Bob Arum, Eddie Hearn and all the networks) but they can't seem to get the deal done for whatever reason."
However, Lee has no doubts the fight would go ahead, saying: "It's inevitable that it will happen.
"But all this sitting around and waiting? Tyson could have fought in February or March. He's been held up by it. He does like to be active.
"I don't know if it's to his detriment or his benefit that this wait has happened.
"He will be ready to unleash the fury when this fight is on!"