WILL he or won’t he?

That’s the answer to both hot questions regarding Tyson Fury this week.

Will his next world-title fight be against Anthony Joshua, and will he still be on the shortlist for BBC Sports Personality of the Year come Sunday night when the awards ceremony takes place?

Fury, a former Styal Primary School student who grew up in Wilmslow, is as eager to tackle British rival Joshua in 2021 as he is to be removed from being a contender in SPOTY 2020.

Fury has revealed he has asked his lawyers to help remove him from the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year shortlist.

The world heavyweight champion said he asked “politely” when he posted an Instagram message earlier this month.

But he has now taken further steps to be removed from the list of contenders and instructed his lawyers to send a letter to the BBC.

He told Good Morning Britain: “I have asked nicely in a video to be taken off the list and they decided that they were not going to take me off the list.

“So I have had my lawyers send them a letter demanding that I am taken off the list and let’s hope they listen and take me off the list.”

Responding to his first request, the BBC insisted it had no intention of removing Fury, and said the programme will continue to celebrate his achievements irrespective of his desire to participate.

A spokesperson said: “The shortlist is decided by an independent expert panel who choose contenders based on their sporting achievement in a given year.

“On this basis Tyson Fury will remain on the list for SPOTY 2020. As always the winner will be decided by the public voting during the live show and it is of course up to Tyson if he chooses to participate in the show.”

Fury’s previous appearance on the shortlist in 2015 caused controversy, with more than 100,000 people signing a petition calling for the boxer’s removal over a series of outspoken comments on homophobia and abortion.

This year’s shortlist also includes Lewis Hamilton, the early favourite, plus Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stuart Broad, Jordan Henderson and Hollie Doyle.

On the programme, Fury also discussed facing Joshua in what would be one of the most highly-anticipated fights in decades.

He said it would be “one of the most explosive, quickest fights we will ever see” and was “optimistic” it would happen.

“I am aiming to take him out inside four rounds,” said Fury.

“He is standing in my way of total supremacy in my era. Immortality awaits. I am one win away from it.”

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has insisted it could take as little as two days to complete a deal for Joshua to fight Fury in 2021.

Plans for a ‘Battle of Britain’ have moved full steam ahead after the 31-year-old Joshua stopped Kubrat Pulev in the ninth round on Saturday at Wembley’s SSE Arena.

It has paved the way for a twin-fight between the two world heavyweight champions from these shores and while an agreement has been in principle since the summer, it could be signed off as early as next week.

“There is no reason we cannot complete the deal and then move on and solve the other problems," said Hearn.

“We need to write to the governing bodies and say yes we have a deal and we will now talk to the various sites and confirm the dates shortly for what I suppose will be the end of May."

There are some potential stumbling blocks, including if Fury is forced to fight Deontay Wilder for a third time and Joshua could be told by the WBO to face mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk.

But Hearn insisted: “The only hitch I can think of is Wilder. If the court order the Fury rematch, and it doesn’t sound as though they will, then it is out of our hands.

“That is the only way it falls through is if something stops their side, that isn’t me saying they don’t want it, they do, but if the court orders it then we will have to fight Usyk.

“The WBO probably will email to say you have 30 days to start negotiations with Usyk. (Bob) Arum seems very confident that the fight (Wilder-Fury) is not on.”

If Usyk and the WBO do not agree to that title being on the line for Joshua-Fury, Hearn conceded they could vacate the belt in order to ensure one of the biggest fights in British boxing history is able to take place.

Both fighters could earn up to £100million each from the first bout next summer, if it was to take place abroad, with the split set to be 50-50 and then 60-40 to the winner with the second contest planned for late 2021.

A sold-out Wembley would not generate the finances available if the fight was held in the Middle East and therefore is more likely to be the venue for part two of this battle.

Joshua and Fury also have television deals with Sky, DAZN, ESPN and BT respectively and while the TV rights are something to be resolved, it is not likely to jeopardise plans for the duo to clash.

After a destructive display against IBF mandatory challenger Pulev, where the Bulgarian was floored three times before a final knockout blow, preparation quickly turned to what next for the Londoner.

The ‘Gypsy King’ took to social media straight after Pulev had been knocked out and said of his rival: “I knock him out inside three rounds.”

Hearn disputed that prediction, but above all else is desperate to ensure the two fight at the peak of their powers.

He said: “I think AJ will knock him out. On Saturday AJ got hit once maybe with a right hand, that was about it. Fury and Pulev probably punch as hard as each other, Fury is not a devastating puncher, but he is a lot better than Pulev.

“It is an undisputed fight, it should be the toughest fight out there, but I’ve always fancied him to beat Tyson Fury, always.

“But Fury is definitely at the peak of his powers and so is AJ which actually is why it is so great if we get it made."