IBF orders Hrgovic vs Sanchez eliminator

Heavyweights Filip Hrgovic and Frank Sanchez have gotten the call to meet in the coming months for a crack at Daniel Dubois’ title

It’s been an odd few months for the IBF heavyweight picture. After smoking Anthony Joshua for the title last September, Daniel Dubois geared up for an inaugural defense against Joseph Parker, only to withdraw due to illness at the eleventh hour. Martin Bakole, who had seemingly yet to start camp for an ordered final eliminator against Efe Ajagba, stepped up to the plate and was promptly demolished.

Though Bakole vs Ajagba returned to life and found a spot on the May 3rd Canelo Alvarez vs William Scull undercard, the IBF decided to take the prize off the table. They’ve instead ordered Filip Hrgovic to battle Frank Sanchez for the spot in the queue behind Derek Chisora.

How that’s fair to Ajagba, the highest-rated contender behind Chisora and who had absolutely nothing to do with Bakole’s decision to fight mid-bulk cycle, is beyond me. I just don’t see the urgency here; the IBF admits that Dubois’ first mandatory defense is due in June, meaning they have a whole year to choose who comes after Chisora.

It’s not like these two have done much to earn this opportunity, as both are riding one-fight winning streaks. Hrgovic (18-1, 14 KO) showed his mettle in a grueling decision over Joe Joyce a couple weeks back, but the cardio issues that sank him against Dubois remained apparent, while Sanchez (25-1, 18 KO) has a lot to prove after falling victim to Agit Kabayel’s signature “Just Punch ‘Em in the Stomach, Idiot” technique.

It’s a well-matched fight on its own merits. The circumstances surrounding it just leave a bad taste in the mouth.