Frank Sanchez vs. Filip Hrgovic - Who wins?

[Ruthless-RKO]

IBF ORDER FRANK SANCHEZ-FILIP HRGOVIC, WINNER MANDATORY FOR DANIEL DUBOIS' TITLE

The IBF have ordered a heavyweight final eliminator between Frank Sanchez and Filip Hrgovic, with the winner to be made mandatory for Daniel Dubois' world title.

Fight Freaks Unite was first to report the news. Derek Chisora (36-13, 23 KOs), the IBF's No. 2 heavyweight, is still the current mandatory, with that position to be officially called on April 22. Sanchez and Hrgovic, meanwhile, are participating in negotiations.

The IBF told The Ring: "We have ordered Sanchez and Hrgovic to begin negotiations for the #1 position. We are scheduled to notify Dubois and Chisora to negotiate for the mandatory defense of the title on April 22."

Sanchez (25-1, 1 NC, 18 KOs) is ranked No. 4 by the IBF while Hrgovic (18-1, 14 KOs), who recently beat Joe Joyce (16-4, 15 KOs), is No. 6 in their rankings.

Since losing to Agit Kabayel (26-0, 18 KOs) by stoppage last May, Sanchez has fought once, winning by third-round TKO in a six-rounder against journeyman Ramon Olivas Echeverria at the end of February.

Originally, IBF No. 3 Efe Ajagba and Martin Bakole were scheduled to fight for the mandatory position, but the latter jumped in on late notice to challenge Joseph Parker for his WBO 'interim' title in February, losing by second-round knockout, relinquishing his eliminator spot in the process.

Ajagba and Bakole are still set to fight on May 3 on the Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez-William Scull undercard, but without the IBF mandatory spot at stake.

Regarding Chisora's standing, the IBF told The Ring last month: "Derek Chisora is the mandatory challenger for Daniel Dubois but the mandatory bout is due to be ordered on 4/22.

"There is not enough time for an eliminator since Dubois’ mandatory is due on June 21. If Daniel Dubois would want to pursue the unification that would take precedence over the mandatory."

The Ring's Mike Coppinger reported earlier this week that Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) and unified champion Oleksandr Usyk are indeed finalising an agreement that would see the pair fight on July 12 at London's Wembley Stadium for the undisputed titles.

That news, coupled with the IBF's order for Hrgovic and Sanchez to fight, leaves Chisora's future uncertain.

'Del Boy' told The Ring last month he was confident the 50th and final fight of his career would be against Dubois for the IBF title, but he'll now have to wait things out.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Not the worst fight, but Sanchez don’t deserve it.

He just fought one fight since his loss against who knows his name and now back in contention.

Let’s see if Frank has this on the Usyk-Dubois card.

[KiwiRider]

Well this truly leaves Parker out in the cold then.

Hrg vs Sanchez should be a decent matchup, but I feel like the Cuban flash has lost a step after his performance against Kabayal. Maybe it was an off night, or maybe Frank is on the slide. His timing was out, which is a bad sign. How the heck he gets this opportunity after a loss and a win against a journeyman is beyond me.

[Coco]

Maybe it means DDD is going to get Uysk, leaving the IBF vacant

[Ruthless-RKO]

Chisora is already mandatory.

[Coco]

Chisora is already mandatory.

Maybe Chisora v the winner

[KiwiRider]

Chisora is already mandatory.

Maybe Chisora v the winner

It's so screwed up.
No wonder Turki wants to ditch these Orgs, they have learned nothing.

[tigermoth87]

Why is Hrgovic is the final eliminator already? He got spanked by Dubois and beat a wank Joe Joyce

Sanchex too actually, got spanked by Kabayel and then beat a bum

[margaret thatcher]

the ibf is notorious for recycling the same guys

[joshj909]

The winner of this should be facing the winner of Efe/Bakole for the mandatory.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[THEBUTCH]

Dubois should be defending the IBF title against these guys and Usyk should defend the actual world championship against a couple of new challengers before bowing out.

I really don't want to see Usyk wasting time outboxing Dubois again

Dubois, with W@rren in his ear, will always have an excuse for anything that doesn't go his way.

[Oiky]

what a load of poop

[chinarich]

They’re having a fight to determine the mandatory challenger whilst also acknowledging that they already have a mandatory challenger. What?

[Ruthless-RKO]

They’re having a fight to determine the mandatory challenger whilst also acknowledging that they already have a mandatory challenger. What?

That's IBF for you..

They tasted Saudi money too.. So they just ordering fights where they know Turki could be involved.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Frank has started negotiations for this.

Franks in a mad one. He holds all the cards at HW.

Frank on top!

Who would have thought.

Turki who? Hahaha

[KiwiRider]

They’re having a fight to determine the mandatory challenger whilst also acknowledging that they already have a mandatory challenger. What?

It is utterly baffling.
And they can shove Chisora aside this easily? He must be spewing!

[Ruthless-RKO]

They’re having a fight to determine the mandatory challenger whilst also acknowledging that they already have a mandatory challenger. What?

It is utterly baffling.
And they can shove Chisora aside this easily? He must be spewing!

Chisora is probably next haha

[joshj909]

They’re having a fight to determine the mandatory challenger whilst also acknowledging that they already have a mandatory challenger. What?

It is utterly baffling.
And they can shove Chisora aside this easily? He must be spewing!

Chisora is probably next haha

I'm guessing there could be a Chisora vs Hrgovic/Sanchez for the interim IBF belt if Usyk/Dubois is forced to vacate again which would be ridiculous.

[KiwiRider]

They’re having a fight to determine the mandatory challenger whilst also acknowledging that they already have a mandatory challenger. What?

It is utterly baffling.
And they can shove Chisora aside this easily? He must be spewing!

Chisora is probably next haha

So a "Final Eliminator" for a go at a dinosaur called Del?
And we thought all this crap was behind us .

[Bobbyptsd]

That "lion face" picture of Hrgovic is the least representative depiction of a fighter ever seen. He should be slightly looking away from the camera with a neutral expression like he can barely be arsed to be there.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Come on Fish Eyes!

Hurry it up lad

[Ruthless-RKO]

May 15 purse bid hearing

[gregregegg]

Can someone explain how? They both go stopped… then get a win back (hrgs decent sancheses trashhhhhh) and are in eliminators??