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.

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Chisora’s mandatory status is at riskCredit: GETTY
The IBF only recently made Chisora the mandatory challenger for Dubois and is due to 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 an undisputed fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Dubois to come before Usyk’s mandatory dust-up with Joseph Parker.

An exemption was lodged by both sides for their four-belt shootout to take precedence over the Parker fight, with the verdict due in the next two weeks.

If the Championship Committee does, as expected, allow Usyk vs Dubois to happen first , then Chisora’s claim to Dubois’ throne will be threatened by Sanchez vs Hrgovic.

Hrgovic (18-1) rebounded from a stoppage loss to Dubois last year to beat Joe Joyce over the distance in April.

Sanchez (24-1) hasn’t stepped between the ropes since being dispatched by Agit Kabayel 11 months ago.

At present, Chisora is the highest-rated fighter by the IBF, while Sanchez is placed at No.4, and Hrgovic is ranked No.6.

However, 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.

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Dubois is the IBF heavyweight championCredit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom

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Hrgovic beat Joyce earlier this monthCredit: GETTY

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Sanchez hasn’t boxed since last MayCredit: GETTY
“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 Usyk vs Dubois, 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.”