Daniel Dubois has been served with his first mandatory challenger as heavyweight world champion.
The big-punching Brit was elevated to full IBF Champion after a win over Filip Hrgovic was followed by Oleksandr Usyk, previously undisputed, vacating the belt.
Dubois made his first defence against Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in September last year, dispatching of the two-time titlist inside five rounds in a career best performance.
He was then scheduled to make a voluntary defence against fellow form man Joseph Parker, however a fight week illness forced Dubois out of the contest. Parker instead fought and beat Martin Bakole, who stepped in on extremely short notice.
Dubois was open that his three-man hit list was a rematch with Usyk, who beat him in 2023, for undisputed, a rematch with Joshua or a rescheduled fight with Parker.
However, he has now been officially ordered to face countryman and veteran of the division, Derek Chisora, who earned his mandatory spot with recent wins over Joe Joyce and Otto Wallin.
Dan Rafael reports that the IBF ordered the fight on Wednesday, giving the fighters – who are both represented promotionally by Queensberry – 30 days to negotiate before purse bids are called.
Chisora may have been content to bide his time and fight for the belt after that rematch, however another IBF order that states Filip Hrgovic and Frank Sanchez are to fight for the mandatory position, messes that plan.
Depending on how things play out, the belt may become vacant, particularly if Usyk beats Dubois for a second time, leaving Chisora with a potential opportunity to face the winner of Hrgovic-Sanchez for the title in what would be his 50th and final fight.
