The IBF have ordered a heavyweight final eliminator between Frank Sanchez and Filip Hrgovic, with the winner to be made mandatory for Daniel Dubois' world title.

Fight Freaks Unite was first to report the news. Derek Chisora (36-13, 23 KOs), the IBF's No. 2 heavyweight, is still the current mandatory, with that position to be officially called on April 22. Sanchez and Hrgovic, meanwhile, are participating in negotiations for a bout which would place the winner in the No. 1 spot.

The IBF told The Ring: "We have ordered Sanchez and Hrgovic to begin negotiations for the #1 position. We are scheduled to notify Dubois and Chisora to negotiate for the mandatory defense of the title on April 22."

Sanchez (25-1, 1 NC, 18 KOs) is ranked No. 4 by the IBF while Hrgovic (18-1, 14 KOs), who recently beat Joe Joyce (16-4, 15 KOs), is No. 6 in their rankings.

Since losing to Agit Kabayel (26-0, 18 KOs) by stoppage last May, Sanchez has fought once, winning by third-round TKO in a six-rounder against journeyman Ramon Olivas Echeverria at the end of February.

Originally, IBF No. 3 Efe Ajagba and Martin Bakole were scheduled to fight for the mandatory position, but the latter jumped in on late notice to challenge Joseph Parker for his WBO 'interim' title in February, losing by second-round knockout, relinquishing his eliminator spot in the process.

Ajagba and Bakole are still set to fight on May 3 on the Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez-William Scull undercard, but without the IBF mandatory spot at stake.

Regarding Chisora's standing, the IBF told The Ring last month: "Derek Chisora is the mandatory challenger for Daniel Dubois but the mandatory bout is due to be ordered on 4/22.

"There is not enough time for an eliminator since Dubois’ mandatory is due on June 21. If Daniel Dubois would want to pursue the unification that would take precedence over the mandatory."

The Ring's Mike Coppinger reported earlier this week that Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) and unified champion Oleksandr Usyk are indeed finalising an agreement that would see the pair fight on July 12 at London's Wembley Stadium for the undisputed titles.

That news, coupled with the IBF's order for Hrgovic and Sanchez to fight, leaves Chisora's immediate future uncertain.

'Del Boy' told The Ring last month he was confident the 50th and final fight of his career would be against Dubois for the IBF title, but he'll now have to wait things out.