TLDR
- Daniel Dubois has accepted an IBF final eliminator bout against Frank Sanchez with a deal deadline of October 22
- The winner will become mandatory challenger for Oleksandr Usyk’s IBF heavyweight title
- Dubois lost to Usyk twice, most recently by fifth-round stoppage at Wembley Stadium in July
- Tyson Fury confirmed plans to return to boxing in 2026 after retiring in January following two losses to Usyk
- Promoter Eddie Hearn says Turki Alalshikh wants to make Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua happen in 2026
Daniel Dubois has agreed to face Frank Sanchez in an IBF final eliminator that could lead to a third fight with Oleksandr Usyk. The bout represents a direct path back to a world title shot for the British heavyweight.
Dubois and his team have until October 22 to finalize a deal with Sanchez’s camp. If both sides cannot reach an agreement, purse bids will be ordered to determine the fight’s financial terms.
The winner will become the IBF’s mandatory challenger for Usyk’s heavyweight title. This would mark a quick turnaround for Dubois, who lost the IBF belt to Usyk in their most recent encounter.
Dubois has not fought since July when Usyk stopped him in the fifth round at Wembley Stadium. The defeat came after a build-up that raised questions about the British fighter’s preparation and mindset.
Sanchez has only one professional loss in his career. The Cuban hard-hitter has struggled to find an opponent for his final eliminator over recent months.
Several fighters turned down the opportunity to face Sanchez. Efe Ajagba rejected a rematch with the Cuban. Moses Itauma passed on the fight, and Richard Torrez Jr was also considered but did not accept.
Daniel Dubois is targeting Oleksandr Usyk's IBF heavyweight title after accepting a final eliminator fight against Frank Sanchez 🚨 pic.twitter.com/h9p7wu8jPV
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) October 7, 2025
Questions About a Third Usyk Fight
Even if Dubois wins the eliminator, questions remain about whether Usyk wants a trilogy. The Ukrainian has now beaten Dubois twice, both times stopping him before the final bell.
Usyk already avoided one mandatory challenge from Joseph Parker. Parker is now scheduled to face fellow interim heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley in London on October 25.
Talk of trilogy fights with Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua has continued. Both men pushed Usyk close in their respective bouts and would offer bigger box-office appeal than a third Dubois fight.
Fury lost twice to Usyk, first by split decision and then by unanimous decision in their rematch. Joshua also has history with both Dubois and Usyk that could make for compelling matchups.
Fury Planning 2026 Return
Tyson Fury confirmed plans to return to boxing next year after retiring in January. The 37-year-old’s promoter Frank Warren spoke with Fury last week about his comeback plans.
Warren told DAZN News that Fury insists he wants to fight again. The promoter said they will sit down to discuss options for 2026.
Fury has been busy with projects outside the ring this year. He filmed a documentary for Netflix and worked on his “At Home with the Furys” series. He also has another documentary project in progress.
The former champion has not fought since his December loss to Usyk. That defeat marked his second consecutive loss to the Ukrainian heavyweight.
Promoter Eddie Hearn recently met with Turki Alalshikh in Saudi Arabia. Hearn said Alalshikh wants to make a fight between Fury and Anthony Joshua happen.
Hearn called it the biggest fight in boxing right now. He explained that both camps need to reach agreements on their end before Alalshikh can finalize the bout.
The Matchroom chief said they have a plan to get Joshua back in the ring soon. That would lead to a potential fight with Fury in 2026.
Joshua is also coming off a defeat after losing to Dubois in September. A January bout in Africa has been mentioned as a possibility for Joshua before any potential Fury fight.
Hearn expressed optimism about making the Fury-Joshua fight happen. He said the process is simpler now with Alalshikh involved, as the camps don’t need to negotiate directly with each other.
