The IBF has officially ordered heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois to open negotiations with veteran countryman Derek Chisora, giving both Queensberry fighters until 22 May to strike a deal before purse-bid proceedings begin. Chisora vaulted to No. 2 in the rankings after February’s points win over Otto Wallin, and at 41 would mark Dubois’ first mandatory since inheriting the red belt last summer.
Yet the mandate comes with an escape clause. IBF rules allow Dubois to sidestep Chisora if he can finalise a unification with lineal and four-belt champion Oleksandr Usyk, a fight both teams have quietly pursued since Usyk’s repeat victory over Tyson Fury in December. The WBO is already reviewing an appeal that would let Usyk bypass its own No. 1 contender, Joseph Parker, in favour of a Dubois rematch at Wembley. An IBF spokesperson told BoxingScene that Dubois simply needs to declare his unification intent before the purse-bid deadline.
Dubois has ripped off three straight knockouts - Filip Hrgovic for the interim belt, Anthony Joshua for his first defence, and Jarrell Miller on the Riyadh circuit, since a controversial low-blow-tinged stoppage loss to Usyk in 2023. New training footage released last week showed the 27-year-old looking sharper under coach Don Charles, fuelling talk he could beat Usyk second time round.
Where does that leave Chisora and Parker? If Dubois-Usyk II materialises, Chisora could slide into a lucrative trilogy with Parker, who already owns two close wins over “Del Boy.” If Dubois sticks to the IBF script, Wembley’s July date could host Dubois-Chisora, a 50th fight and likely final crack at gold for the London cult hero.
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