An IBF light heavyweight title eliminator has now dropped down to number eight ranked Jean Pascal following the decision by Seanie Monaghan to become the latest fighter to turn down the encounter.

The IBF ordered Artur Beterbiev to face the next available contender earlier this month, although Bernard Hopkins, Erik Skoglund, Isaac Chilemba, Andrzej Fonfara and now Monaghan have made it clear that they are unable to accept the offer.

Former WBC title holder Jean Pascal is the next in line and has until August 21 to make a decision on whether to face Beterbiev for the right to challenge current champion Sergey Kovalev in 2016.

“In the eliminator for the IBF light heavyweight title, the New Yorker Sean Monaghan declined the invitation to face Artur Beterbiev (IBF # 2). The next ranked contender by the IBF and available is Jean Pascal (IBF # 8). The deadline for response is 21 August,” said Beterbiev’s handlers GYM.

Pascal has already lost out to Kovalev earlier this year when going down in eight rounds to the formidable unified king – but has been vocal about his plans to earn a rematch.

Whether the Haitian-Canadian wants to go through one hard-hitting Russian to get to another is another story though and more will become clear after Friday’s deadline.