By Edward Chaykovsky

Errol Spence (20-0, 17KOs) will have one final hurdle to overcome before he can secure a mandatory world title shot.

The International Boxing Federation has ordered Spence and Konstantin Ponomarev (30-0, 13KOs) to collide in a final world title eliminator.

The winner of that bout will become the mandatory challenger to welterweight world champion Kell Brook (30-0, 13KOs) of Sheffield.

Spence was in action this past Saturday night, when he demolished former WBO junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri in five rounds at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

After the fight was over, Spence immediately challenged Brook to a fight.

Brook has more than enough time to make a voluntary defense or two. He made a mandatory defense just last month, with a two round blitz of Canadian Kevin Bizier.

Ponomarev, trained by veteran coach Abel Sanchez, handed Brad Solomon his first career defeat two weeks ago in the opening fight of the Pacquioa-Bradley III non-televised undercard from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Ponomarev will be a very big underdog in the contest.

The two sides were ordered to negotiate and don't be surprised if the fight heads to a purse bid. Spence is managed by Al Haymon and fights under the Premier Boxing Champions banner. Ponomarev is promoted by Top Rank. Haymon and Top Rank are currently involved in a multi-million dollar legal battle.

IBF championships chairman Lindsey E Tucker told Sky Sports: "Errol Spence is the No 2 contender. "We just ordered Errol Spence and the No 3 contender Konstantin Ponomarev to start negotiating for the eliminator for the No 1 and the mandatory position."