The IBF Heavyweight Division has booked a final eliminator match in which Oleksandr Usky will now face one of two men.
Oleksandr Usky teased a possible retirement from boxing after knocking out Daniel Dubois in July of this year to defend his undisputed title as heavyweight.
The Ukrainian has not retired, despite his apparent refusal to do so. However, he recently gave up his WBO championship, and in doing so, lost his undisputed status.
At this point, it seems as though there isn’t anyone left in the heavyweight division for him to fight, however, a final eliminator fight has been booked by the IBF.
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Usyk’s mandatory challenger will be decided in final eliminator
Having given up his WBO title so that he can avoid a fight against Fabio Wardley, Usyk’s next fight may come against the recently booked IBF eliminator fight.
The sanctioning body ordered a fight between contenders Jared Anderson and Frank Sanchez to take place, with the winner becoming Usyk’s mandatory title challenger.
Anderson bounced back from his last-time KO loss against Martin Bakole by beating Marios Kollias in February.
‘The Cuban Flash’ on the other hand competed on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Usyk last May, when he was finished by Agit Kabayel. The 33-year old bounced back from his loss to Ramon Olivas in early this year, securing an eliminator bout.
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Both fighters are linked to a number of big fights and have only ever lost one match in their career.
Daniel Dubois will face Sanchez at the IBF.
It’s a bit of a surprise that Anderson and Sanchez are fighting, considering that just a few short weeks ago there were rumors that Sanchez was going to fight Dubois for an IBF eliminator bout.
The Brit hopes to get back into a fight with Usyk, despite being knocked out in the fifth round by the champion.
2025-11-25 17:15:00
