Daniel Dubois has withdrawn from the IBF final eliminator against Frank Sanchez.
The IBF had ordered a final eliminator between former champion Dubois and Cuba’s Sanchez to determine the mandatory challenger for unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. By withdrawing, Dubois has forfeited the chance to set up a third fight with Usyk.
Usyk stopped Dubois in their 2023 title fight and again this summer in the undisputed championship matchup. Sanchez remains in contention for the eliminator, with America’s Jared Anderson the next highest-ranked contender in the IBF ratings.
Dubois is the latest to turn down the bout; Efe Ajagba, Moses Itauma and Richard Torrez Jr previously rejected the opportunity to face Sanchez in an IBF final eliminator.
A Queensberry spokesperson, representing Dubois, told Sky Sports: “The eliminator holds little value right now for Daniel. Derek Chisora was named the IBF mandatory at their last convention so the fight vs Frank Sanchez is to be installed as next in line after Chisora.
“Add to that the IBF is last in the queue of the unified championships held by Usyk. If Daniel accepted the fight, it would also limit his options with the other organisations.
“Daniel was proud to be IBF champion but the order and fight itself do little for his career and getting him back into a position to fight for a world title.
“Daniel will be back in 2026 and there are some huge fights out there for him.”
Dubois is a promotional stablemate of new WBO world champion Fabio Wardley and is ranked No 4 in the WBO heavyweight ratings. Promoter Frank Warren previously told Sky Sports: “Next for [Wardley] will be a defence of the title so he’ll have someone who’s ranked in the top 10.
“He will fight one of those guys. That’s what it’s going to be, a big fight for him. That’s all he’s looked for. He’s never ducked anybody, that’s all he’s talked about, is big fights.
“Hopefully we’ll do that early spring.”
