Daniel Dubois is the odds-on favourite to retain his IBF heavyweight world title against Anthony Joshua ahead of a potential rematch in the new year.
Dubois floored Joshua four times en-route to a sensational fifth round stoppage in their blockbuster dust-up at Wembley Stadium last month to retain the coveted title he had inherited just a few weeks earlier.
The Londoner, who previously held 'interim' champion status, was upgraded to 'full' champion after Oleksandr Usyk opted to relinquish the belt following his undisputed success over Tyson Fury, with the Ukrainian choosing to seeks a money-spinning rematch with 'The Gypsy King' over a mandatory defence against Filip Hrgovic.
But with Dubois stopping former 'interim' title-holder Hrgovic in an enthralling heavyweight showdown in June, it was the British star who took hold of the 'interim' title before being bumped up to 'full' world champion ahead of his domestic dust-up with Joshua.
Under the IBF's rules, Dubois now has nine months to make a voluntary defence - which a rematch with Joshua would fall under - before the governing body would order a mandatory defence against their highest ranked heavyweight, which right now would be Germany's unbeaten star, Agit Kabayel.
Rule 5.A.2 of the IBF's regulations regarding the heavyweight division stipulates: "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."
This means Dubois v Joshua 2 would have to take place prior to 22nd April 2025, otherwise Dubois would be instructed to face his mandatory challenger by no later than Saturday 21st June 2025.
IBF regulations go on to state that the champion "shall be obligated to mandatorily defend his championship within intervals of no more than nine months against the leading available contender in the heavyweight division as designated by the championships chairman."
However, it's understood the IBF would grant special dispensation for a potential undisputed heavyweight championship showdown with the winner of Usyk v Fury 2, which is set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday 21st December.