Daniel Dubois and Derek Chisora might face off for the IBF World Heavyweight Championship. The IBF plans to order this fight next month, which could delay a big undisputed clash between Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk.
Dubois got the IBF title after beating Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic. He then knocked out Anthony Joshua to defend it. Last year, Dubois lost to Usyk in Poland, going down in the ninth round. During that fight, Dubois put Usyk down with a punch that some said was too low.
Usyk's been doing great as a heavyweight. He's beaten Chazz Witherspoon, Derek Chisora, Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, and Tyson Fury. He gave up the IBF belt to fight Fury again. Now, he's been told to fight Joseph Parker.
Chisora's the mandatory challenger for the IBF title. He's won against Joe Joyce and Otto Wallin recently. His next fight will be his 50th, and he says it'll be his last. It could be his third shot at a world title.
On a recent podcast, Usyk talked about the power of his opponents. He said Chisora hit the hardest:
"Derek Chisora. Very tough guy. Derek – right hand, left hand, I'd like block [and say to myself] 'Oh my God! Oh move Alex, this is dangerous.'"
Usyk said Fury was his toughest fight, but not the hardest puncher:
"Listen, I have respect for Tyson Fury. A fighter, a great man, but my opponent. Very hard man. Very smart … [Hardest fight] I think yes. Punch? I think no."
When asked about Dubois's power, Usyk wasn't impressed:
"No, only in my balls."
If Dubois and Usyk get permission to skip their mandatory defenses, they could still have their undisputed fight. But for now, it looks like Dubois vs Chisora is next. Chisora has said he wants this title shot for his last fight, so we'll have to wait and see what happens.
