Frank Sanchez vs. Richard Torrez | DAZN - May 23, 2026

[Ruthless-RKO]

Did Torres win that first round.

I mean.. he just went low and got caught with a shot.

[NazNaci1]

Did pick Sanchez by KO.

Torres looked okay on his way up but it was clear, he had a long, long way to go.

[gilgamesh]

Did Torres win that first round.

I mean.. he just went low and got caught with a shot.

Yeah I thought Torrez won the 1st round for what that's worth. He landed a few good lefts to the body and maybe 1 or 2 upstairs.

Nothing spectacular, but he edged it. 1 huge right hand from Sanchez undid it though.

[Tony1244]

Torrez was only stopped once as an amateur by a good fighter. Surprising and disappointing result.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I think he just got caught with a bad shot. Was it too early a step up for Torres?

He put his head low and went into that shot

[gregregegg]

I think he just got caught with a bad shot. Was it too early a step up for Torres?

He put his head low and went into that shot

Nothing wrong with the step up. He had already beat guido and has done rounds. He just lost a fight. He did badly lose the battle of the feet at that point which lead to him getting smoked. That’s a concern cause Sanchez managed to step that lead foot wayyy around him, you can’t let that happen…

He is babic delux. Or fisher delux. But he is so delux he can win at fringe world levle. But he can also loose.

I think have another crack at heavyweight. But he could have a crack at cruiser if he wanted. He is a bulky 230. Could easily long term diet down to a leaner 215 then an easy water cut.

Babic/fisher/torrez style is always hard to step up in levles at heavyweight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[SportsRatings]

I said before this fight we would learn everything about Sanchez and nothing about Torrez and I stand by that.

If Torrez had won by 2nd round TKO we would know Sanchez's injuries lately have left him a degraded version of his former self. We already knew Torrez was good.

And if Sanchez wins by 2nd round TKO we know Sanchez has overcome his recent hiccup and is as good as he was before Kabayel. We already knew Torrez was good and losing to Sanchez is no shame.

Torrez will be back and he will be better for it. Sanchez is back right now, like his style or not. I don't, but he is effective. At least it wasn't a repeat of Ajagba, watching that one gave me a headache.

[Taansend]

Brutal ko. Don't wanna be that guy, but always thought Torrez was a little limited. That punch would've knocked out most though.

I thought he might be on the small side but had the skills & movement to get by most.

I also thought Sanchez was done. His time was 3-5 years but his knee 'went'.

Seems I was wrong on both counts.

Fair play Frank. And good luck coming again Richard.

[DrDuke]

The style of Torrez was exposed. The guy has no lateral or head movement. A KO of the year candidate has been made.

[Cyclops]

Called Frank by stoppage when this poll was opened. I have always thought Torrez was a case of people seeing what they wanted to see.

A future champion runs someone like Vianello over. He doesn't UD him.

I caught an interview with Torrez yesterday and he seemed so nice and clean cut and pleased to be there. The energy was all wrong. You have to be half nuts and an evil bastard to be great.

You've got big Frank who doesn't give a fornicate for anybody coming from a proper amateur programme in Cuba where they are very serious, and then some goofy kid with a perm and a moustache looking like a coffee shop barista on steroids. I didn't foresee it being that quick, but I figured Sanchez if he had anything left would probably nail him.

[Cyclops]

I said before this fight we would learn everything about Sanchez and nothing about Torrez and I stand by that.

If Torrez had won by 2nd round TKO we would know Sanchez's injuries lately have left him a degraded version of his former self. We already knew Torrez was good.

And if Sanchez wins by 2nd round TKO we know Sanchez has overcome his recent hiccup and is as good as he was before Kabayel. We already knew Torrez was good and losing to Sanchez is no shame.

Torrez will be back and he will be better for it. Sanchez is back right now, like his style or not. I don't, but he is effective. At least it wasn't a repeat of Ajagba, watching that one gave me a headache.

There is an awful lot of coping going on here.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Frank Sanchez happy to take on all-comers while he waits for Oleksandr Usyk

Frank Sanchez shined while in the heavyweight shop window on Saturday night when he stopped Richard Torrez Jnr in two rounds to gain mandatory status with the IBF.

The Cuban’s demolition of Torrez reminded fans of his potential, something perhaps forgotten since he was beaten by Agit Kabayel in 2023. More importantly, it allowed the 33-year-old to formally take his place in the queue for division leader, Oleksandr Usyk.

But that queue likely has at least two names ahead of Sanchez, 26-1 (19 KOs). Seemingly leading is Kabayel, the WBC interim beltholder, with Rico Verhoeven, who gave Usyk such trouble in Egypt’s main event, emerging from nowhere to find himself looking over Kabayel’s shoulder.

For now, that’s fine, says Sanchez’s manager Mike Barao. That his heavyweight is now injury-free and firing on all cylinders under the guidance of Eddy Reynoso, means that things are only going to get better.

“Frank sent a strong reminder that he is one of the most dangerous fighters in the division,” Borao told Sky Sports.
“An injury temporarily slowed his momentum, but he’s now back in top form and ready to make the best of his mandatory status.
“I’m currently reviewing options [for Sanchez’s next fight] with my partner, Lupe Valencia. As the mandatory challenger, our primary goal is to fight Usyk as soon as possible, but we’ll see how that develops over the next few weeks.”

Because Usyk holds three of the four major belts (WBC, IBF, and WBA), he will soon be forced into facing his mandatories. If the 39-year-old wants to keep all of his belts – and he’s relinquished titles in the past – he will next have to face Kabayel, then the WBA will call their mandatory, before the IBF take their turn.

“In the meantime, if fights against top heavyweights like [Daniel] Dubois, [Deontay] Wilder, [Anthony] Joshua, [Tyson] Fury, Verhoeven, [Francis] Ngannou or others become available, Frank has no problem staying active against elite competition while waiting for his world title shot," Borao said.

Much of what happens will be guided by Usyk’s decision on his next move. There will be pressure to face Verhoeven again, given the contentious nature of Usyk’s 11th round stoppage victory. Kabayel will also expect to get his overdue shot at the Ukrainian.

Another option is that Usyk, 25-0 (16 KOs) and 39 years old, simply calls time on his glittering career.

“We hope Frank gets the opportunity to box Usyk,” Borao added, “but ultimately that decision rests with him.”

[Les Norton]

Fight Week!!

I'm still waiting until bell time. I just hope nothing screws this up and it gets cancelled

In hindsight Torres would be hoping the same thing

[joshj909]

Frank Sanchez happy to take on all-comers while he waits for Oleksandr Usyk

Frank Sanchez shined while in the heavyweight shop window on Saturday night when he stopped Richard Torrez Jnr in two rounds to gain mandatory status with the IBF.

The Cuban’s demolition of Torrez reminded fans of his potential, something perhaps forgotten since he was beaten by Agit Kabayel in 2023. More importantly, it allowed the 33-year-old to formally take his place in the queue for division leader, Oleksandr Usyk.

But that queue likely has at least two names ahead of Sanchez, 26-1 (19 KOs). Seemingly leading is Kabayel, the WBC interim beltholder, with Rico Verhoeven, who gave Usyk such trouble in Egypt’s main event, emerging from nowhere to find himself looking over Kabayel’s shoulder.

For now, that’s fine, says Sanchez’s manager Mike Barao. That his heavyweight is now injury-free and firing on all cylinders under the guidance of Eddy Reynoso, means that things are only going to get better.

“Frank sent a strong reminder that he is one of the most dangerous fighters in the division,” Borao told Sky Sports.
“An injury temporarily slowed his momentum, but he’s now back in top form and ready to make the best of his mandatory status.
“I’m currently reviewing options [for Sanchez’s next fight] with my partner, Lupe Valencia. As the mandatory challenger, our primary goal is to fight Usyk as soon as possible, but we’ll see how that develops over the next few weeks.”

Because Usyk holds three of the four major belts (WBC, IBF, and WBA), he will soon be forced into facing his mandatories. If the 39-year-old wants to keep all of his belts – and he’s relinquished titles in the past – he will next have to face Kabayel, then the WBA will call their mandatory, before the IBF take their turn.

“In the meantime, if fights against top heavyweights like [Daniel] Dubois, [Deontay] Wilder, [Anthony] Joshua, [Tyson] Fury, Verhoeven, [Francis] Ngannou or others become available, Frank has no problem staying active against elite competition while waiting for his world title shot," Borao said.

Much of what happens will be guided by Usyk’s decision on his next move. There will be pressure to face Verhoeven again, given the contentious nature of Usyk’s 11th round stoppage victory. Kabayel will also expect to get his overdue shot at the Ukrainian.

Another option is that Usyk, 25-0 (16 KOs) and 39 years old, simply calls time on his glittering career.

“We hope Frank gets the opportunity to box Usyk,” Borao added, “but ultimately that decision rests with him.”

Has Sanchez actually been named as the mandatory or is this another terrible article by a BS journalist that doesn't understand the IBF eliminator process? Either way, Usyk is never going to face Sanchez and rightly so. Sanchez got demolished by Kabayel and Usyk doesn't need to waste his time with that sort of opposition, especially if they aren't a big name.

Since Chisora's loss and retirement, the IBF need a second eliminator for Sanchez's next opponent (unless they've adapted their rules here). The problem is, Itauma is ranked first, then Joshua, then Jalolov, then Hrgovic. Warren is contractually obliged to give Hrgovic a fight against Dubois, Wardley, Itauma or Kabayel. Dubois and Wardley are facing each other. If Usyk chooses to face Kabayel then Frank will be contractually obliged to make Hrgovic Vs Itauma but if Jalolov wants the eliminator then this can't be made and in theory, Itauma and Hrgovic would have to turn down the opportunity. Jalolov Vs Wilder or Riakporhe would be made with the winner facing Sanchez then Usyk. Alternatively, Usyk chooses to face Wilder and then Kabayel Vs Hrgovic can be made with Itauma Vs Jalolov also being made.

Borao is also an idiot. Named Dubois, Joshua and Fury as possible opponents knowing that Sanchez isn't ranked by the WBBo so couldn't face the Champ in Dubois while Fury and Joshua are tied up until next year. Just spouting names trying to make him more relevant than he is.

[SportsRatings]

I said before this fight we would learn everything about Sanchez and nothing about Torrez and I stand by that.

If Torrez had won by 2nd round TKO we would know Sanchez's injuries lately have left him a degraded version of his former self. We already knew Torrez was good.

And if Sanchez wins by 2nd round TKO we know Sanchez has overcome his recent hiccup and is as good as he was before Kabayel. We already knew Torrez was good and losing to Sanchez is no shame.

Torrez will be back and he will be better for it. Sanchez is back right now, like his style or not. I don't, but he is effective. At least it wasn't a repeat of Ajagba, watching that one gave me a headache.

There is an awful lot of coping going on here.

Lol, you clearly view the world through an internet fan-boy lens. There's still time to grow up though!

[Cyclops]

I said before this fight we would learn everything about Sanchez and nothing about Torrez and I stand by that.

If Torrez had won by 2nd round TKO we would know Sanchez's injuries lately have left him a degraded version of his former self. We already knew Torrez was good.

And if Sanchez wins by 2nd round TKO we know Sanchez has overcome his recent hiccup and is as good as he was before Kabayel. We already knew Torrez was good and losing to Sanchez is no shame.

Torrez will be back and he will be better for it. Sanchez is back right now, like his style or not. I don't, but he is effective. At least it wasn't a repeat of Ajagba, watching that one gave me a headache.

There is an awful lot of coping going on here.

Lol, you clearly view the world through an internet fan-boy lens. There's still time to grow up though!