Daniel Dubois’s road back to world title gold now runs through Frank Sanchez. After initial negotiations for Sanchez to face Moses Itauma or Richard Torrez fizzled, the IBF pivoted to Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs). With talks failing to produce a deal by the Oct. 22 deadline, the sanctioning body has called a purse bid for Nov. 13.
A Dubois win would position the London heavyweight for another shot at Oleksandr Usyk—or, more realistically, a crack at a vacant IBF title should the belts fragment. Dubois rebuilt superbly after a 2022 stoppage loss to Usyk, stringing wins over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic, and Anthony Joshua to claim the IBF strap, before Usyk halted him again on July 19.