The planned IBF eliminator between Daniel Dubois and Frank Sánchez goes to purse bid. The decision will be made on November 13.
The path to the next IBF heavyweight mandatory challenger will lead via an eliminator duel: Daniel Dubois and Frank Sánchez are to face each other – but it is still unclear who will actually promote the fight. As both camps were unable to reach an agreement by the deadline of October 22, the IBF has scheduled a purse bid for November 13. This will decide which promoter will receive the rights to host the fight.
For the Cuban Sánchez (25-1, 18 knockouts), it is already the next hanging game: several potential fights have fallen through for him this year, including against Efe Ajagba and Filip Hrgovic. The last time Sánchez was in the ring was in May 2024 – when he lost to Agit Kabayel for the WBC interim title. Briton Dubois (22-3, 21 knockouts), on the other hand, wants to make amends after his knockout defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in July. By defeating Sánchez, the former world champion could once again position himself as a mandatory challenger for Usyk or a vacant IBF belt.
Text by Robin Josten