The IBF will permit their heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois to rematch Anthony Joshua. But there is a deadline on it.
A Dubois vs Joshua would have to happen before a date in April of next year.
Dubois knocked out Joshua last month at Wembley Stadium in sensational style to defend the title.
For Dubois, who was elevated from Interim titlist to world champion prior to that fight, the contest with Joshua was actually a mandatory title defence.
Under the IBF’s rules, Dubois now has nine months within which he can make a voluntary defence, opening the door for a Joshua rematch, as long as it happens by April 22.
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Rule 5.A.2 of the IBF’s regulations regarding the heavyweight division states that “all optional defences, and any and all other bouts, by a champion shall be concluded at least 60 days prior to the date the champion’s mandatory is due”.
After this date, Dubois must fulfil a mandatory title defence, which is likely to be against the winner of Martin Bakole’s IBF final eliminator with Agit Kabayel.