The IBF have ordered a final eliminator between Frank Sanchez and Filip Hrgovic to hand Derek Chisora’s world title hopes a serious blow.
Whoever emerges victorious from the heavyweight clash will leapfrog No.2 Derek Chisora to fill the vacant No.1 spot in the IBF rankings and establish themselves as Daniel Dubois‘ mandatory.
GETTYChisora’s mandatory status is at risk[/caption]
The IBF recently made Chisora the mandatory challenger for Dubois and will order a fight between the pair for the red and gold strap on April 22.
However, that won’t come into play if the WBO Championship Committee votes to allow Usyk vs Dubois to come next.
The WBO, which is next up in the sanctioning body rotation system, ordered Oleksandr Usyk to defend his WBA, WBC and WBO belts against Joseph Parker.
But an exemption has since been lodged to allow the four-belt shootout between Usyk and Dubois to come first.
If the Championship Committee does, as expected, allow the undisputed fight to take precedence over Parker’s mandatory bout, then Chisora’s claim to Dubois’ throne will be threatened by Sanchez vs Hrgovic.
At present, Chisora is the highest-rated fighter, while Sanchez is placed at No.4, and Hrgovic is ranked No.6.
But their final eliminator will boost the winner above Chisora, who beat Otto Wallin last February for the No.2 position.
This comes just one month after Queenberry chief Frank Warren confirmed Chisora’s mandatory status to talkSPORT.com.
“Well, Dubois’ mandatory with the IBF is Derek Chisora, so he may have to do that [if he doesn’t fight Usyk],” he said.
“But they (the IBF) will allow him to have a unification if we get it approved [by the WBO].”
Of course, Chisora could still get his shot at Dubois’ IBF belt if the WBO Championship Committee votes against letting the Usyk fight to come next – although that seems unlikely at this stage.
Chisora, who is riding a three-fight winning streak, has suggested that his next fight will be his final bow in professional boxing – and he wants to go out with a bang.
“People have to think about business,” Chisora told Ring Magazine. “I want to fight Daniel, and I know for a fact I can sell out Wembley or Tottenham in that fight…
“Now I’ve been planning everything for this final fight, the whole music, everything. It’s going to be a great show, and there are two concepts I’m working on.
“One is for Wembley and one is for Tottenham. Whatever happens, they’re all going to be amazing.
“A Sunday bank holiday this summer is what I want. I think that would f****** amazing.”
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