The IBF has ordered a world championship eliminator between Filip Hrgovic and Frank Sanchez – the winner will face world champion Daniel Dubois.
The next big step in the heavyweight division has been initiated. The IBF has officially ordered an eliminator fight between Filip Hrgovic and Frank Sanchez, the winner of which will be the mandatory challenger to IBF world champion Daniel Dubois. The federation confirmed this to “The Ring”. As Dubois prepares for a unification fight against Oleksandr Usyk in July, the IBF is putting its next challenger in position.
The two top heavyweights Filip Hrgovic (18-1, 14 knockouts) and Frank Sanchez (25-1, 18 knockouts) are now expected to enter into direct negotiations to organize the fight for the IBF No. 1 ranking. Hrgovic, who recently fought back with an impressive points win over Joe Joyce, is currently ranked No. 6 by the IBF. Sanchez, who suffered a TKO loss to Agit Kabayel last year , is ranked No. 4 and most recently bounced back with a quick win over Journeyman Ramon Olivas Echeverria.
What will happen to Derek Chisora?
The situation is also interesting for Derek Chisora (36-13, 23 knockouts). The British veteran is currently ranked No. 2 and is the official mandatory challenger according to the IBF. The federation wants to officially schedule the corresponding fight against Dubois on April 22. The challenge: According to the IBF, Dubois must defend his title by June 21 at the latest. A previous eliminator, such as the one now scheduled between Hrgovic and Sanchez, could not fulfill this time frame, according to the IBF. If Dubois goes through with the unification fight against Usyk on July 12 – as is currently likely – this would take precedence over a mandatory defense, according to IBF rules.
The situation is tricky for Chisora: In an interview in March, he had stated that he desperately wanted his 50th professional fight to be against Daniel Dubois for the IBF crown – and that this should be his farewell fight. However, recent developments could throw this scenario into doubt. If Dubois takes on Usyk, Chisora could initially come away empty-handed or have to step into the ring against another opponent in the meantime. In any case, the IBF seems to have other priorities – namely to build up Hrgovic or Sanchez as the next contender.
Text by Robin Josten