Richard Torrez Jr. has reportedly said yes to a fight against Frank Sanchez in an IBF heavyweight title eliminator. The two will begin negotiations and have until December 17 to reach an agreement before ordering a purse bid.
The Sanchez vs. Torrez Jr. clash will put the winner in position to challenge IBF champion Oleksander Usyk for his belt. However, Usyk is unlikely to agree to take on the winner as he is nearing retirement and has already vacated his WBO title when he was ordered to defend against Fabio Wardley.
Why others shunned Sanchez
2020 Olympic silver medalist Torrez Jr. (14-0, 12 KOs) shows courage by #3 ranked IBF vs. Sanchez (25-1, 18 KOs) as these fighters all declined:
- Daniel Dubois, Filip Hrgovic
- Worship Ajagba
- Moses It will hurt
The 26-year-old Torrez Jr. may realize that if he doesn’t take this risk, he may wait years before he gets another opportunity to put himself in a position to fight for a world title. By then, all the big names like Anthony Joshua, Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will be long gone.
News from the Top Rank promoted Torrez Jr. who has agreed to fight Sanchez, 33, in the IBF title eliminator was revealed by insider Dan Rafael today on X.
Sanchez’s knee surgery comeback
The Cuban-born Sanchez has looked dangerous throughout most of his eight-year professional career. His only loss was against Agit Kabayel a year ago on May 18, 2024, when he was stopped in the seventh round. That defeat can be attributed to Sanchez fighting with an injured right knee and hobbling around the ring.
Sanchez was doing relatively well in the fight until Kabayel started leaning on him during the clinches, putting all his weight on his pre-existing knee problem. Since that fight, Sanchez has had successful knee surgery.
The three-year-old Prof. Torrez Jr. stayed busy in 2025, knocking out Tomas Salak in the first round last November and beating 2016 Olympian Guido Vianello by a ten-round unanimous decision last April.
Last updated on 12/02/2025
