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 17th to make a deal before a purse bid is ordered.
The Sanchez vs. Torrez Jr. clash will put the winner in position to challenge IBF champion Oleksander Usyk for his belt. However, it’s unlikely that Usyk will agree to face the winner, as he’s nearing retirement and has already vacated his WBO title when ordered to defend against Fabio Wardley.
Why Others Avoided Sanchez
2020 Olympic silver medalist Torrez Jr. (14-0, 12 KOs) is showing courage by facing #3 IBF-ranked Sanchez (25-1, 18 KOs), as these fighters have all declined:
- Daniel Dubois, Filip Hrgovic
- Efe Ajagba
- Moses Itauma
The 26-year-old Torrez Jr. may realize that if he doesn’t take this risk, he could be waiting for 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 of the Top Rank-promoted Torrez Jr. agreeing to fight Sanchez, 33, in the IBF title eliminator was revealed by insider Dan Rafael today on X.
Sanchez’s Knee Surgery Comeback
The Cuba-born Sanchez has looked dangerous through most of his eight-year pro career. His only loss came 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 began leaning on him during the clinches, putting all his weight on his preexisting knee problem. Since that fight, Sanchez has had successful knee surgery.
The three-year pro Torrez Jr. has stayed busy in 2025, knocking out Tomas Salak in the first round last November, and beating 2016 Olympian Guido Vianello by a 10-round unanimous decision last April.