Frank Sanchez predicts that his IBF heavyweight title eliminator bout against Daniel Dubois will be an “explosive” one. October 22nd is the deadline for the terms to be agreed by ‘Dynamite’ Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs) and the Cuban Sanchez (25-1, 18 KOs).
The IBF ordered the two fighters to battle to determine the next mandatory challenger for champion Oleksandr Usyk. Both fighters have agreed to participate in the IBF eliminator.
Four Heavyweights Who Said No
Dubois, 28, is showing courage by agreeing to fight Sanchez, as these four notable fighters all refused:
- Moses Itauma
- Filip Hrgovic
- Efe Ajagba
- Richard Torrez Jr
We don’t know why they all chose not to fight Sanchez, but it could be that they or their promoters noted how dangerous a puncher the Cuban is and decided it wasn’t worth the risk.
Watching two or three rounds of Sanchez’s recent fight against Agit Kabayel would be enough to scare away many fighters and their management from choosing him.
Even with the Eddy Reynoso-trained Sanchez fighting with a knee brace on his right leg, he still landed many powerful shots that would have knocked out many, if not all, heavyweights in the division except Kabayel.
Boxing insider, Mike Coppinger, later revealed that Sanchez had successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee a month after his loss to Kabayel in June 2024 in Miami, Florida.
“Surgery went perfectly, and Frank should return to training in three months,” per Sanchez’s co-manager, Mike Borao, to ESPN.
Sanchez has had a year to strengthen his surgically repaired right knee, and he’s already fought once earlier this year, knocking out Ramon Olivas Echeverria in the third round on February 22, 2025.
“I must beat him to fulfil my dream of becoming the first Cuban heavyweight champion in history,” said Frank Sanchez to Sky Sports about his possible fight against Daniel Dubois. “Our styles will make for a very exciting and explosive fight, you will see!”
A Better Version of Itauma
Picture a better version of Moses Itauma, one that throws combinations with equal power to his own and doesn’t rely on potshots or avoiding contact to win fights. Sanchez is a nightmare for anyone, especially for fighters with a history of quitting repeatedly when the going got tough.
For Dubois to take this fight, it reads as desperation on his part because it’s a risky one. Sanchez is blazing fast, powerful, and the type of combination puncher that is all wrong for Dubois.
The Queensberry-promoted Dubois is coming off a fifth-round knockout loss to then WBA, WBC, and WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk on July 19, 2025, at Wembley Stadium in London, England.
Dubois looked overmatched from the get-go, getting dominated by the highly skilled Usyk. In the fifth round, Dubois was dropped twice. After the second knockdown, Daniel was counted out. Many boxing fans felt that Dubois had quit, as he was looking around at the crowd while receiving the count.
“Hopefully, negotiations go well and we can make this fight in the UK, Saudi Arabia, USA, wherever, just so long as it gets made. I will be well prepared with Eddy Reynoso in my corner,” said Sanchez.
Dubois’ Career Hanging by a Thread
Another defeat by Dubois could be the end of this British heavyweight, as he will have run out of chances. It’s not enough for a fighter to be ambitious. If they lack the chin or the mental toughness to stay on the front lines among the other soldiers, they’re better off exiting to focus on something else.
If Dubois loses this fight, it could be game over for him. How will Queensberry rebuild him after back-to-back knockouts? Would it be even worth it? Dubois might be better off fighting on Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing league, where he won’t have to fight the apex heavyweights like Sanchez.
Since 2015, Olly Campbell has brought readers a clear ringside perspective and a steady voice on boxing’s biggest nights.
Last Updated on 10/09/2025
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