Torrez says pressure and a hard pace could expose weaknesses in Sanchez’s game during their IBF heavyweight eliminator in Egypt
Richard Torrez Jr. believes Frank Sanchez remains one of the heavyweight division’s most dangerous technical fighters, but he says constant pressure and a hard pace can eventually break Sanchez down. Torrez outlined the strategy ahead of their May 23 IBF eliminator in Egypt near the Pyramids of Giza.
Torrez discussed Sanchez during an interview this week before their fight on the “Glory in Giza” card near the Pyramids of Giza.
“You know, I think Frank, being from Cuban descent, he has that Cuban style. He’s able to box and box his butt off when he needs to,” said Torrez Jr. to the Mr. Verzace podcast at Ring Magazine.
“I think he has a very strong backhand. I think he knows how to kind of lull you into a moment to where he can land a certain shot that he wants to.
“And he does really well at dictating tempo a little bit.
“I think where he kind of lacks, though, is in that tempo. If you’re able to take control of that, pressure him and impose your will on him, I think that’s where things start to break down fundamentally in the game plan.
“I think we saw it with Kabayel, and I think that’s something I’m going to kind of mimic and what I do already in my fights.”
Sanchez enters the fight after suffering the first loss of his career against Agit Kabayel last year. Their fight ended after Sanchez appeared to have problems with his leg during the contest.
Torrez also addressed Sanchez’s recent knee issue, which postponed the eliminator earlier this year.
“I’m going out there preparing for the best, Frank, though. I’m going out there, preparing for a Frank that has two great knees.
“That’s the Frank I hope to expect because I want to fight the best. I don’t want to fight someone that’s at 60%.”
The unbeaten Torrez will enter the fight with a record of 13-0 with 11 knockouts. Sanchez brings a 25-1 record with 18 knockouts into the heavyweight eliminator.