Cuban boxer Frank Sanchez became the new contender for the IBF world heavyweight title, defeating American Richard Torres Jr. in Egypt.
The fight, which took place on the undercard of the Usyk-Verhoeven fight, ended in the second round. The Cuban knocked out his opponent; the American tried to get to his feet, but could not – the referee ended the fight early.
The result of the fight means that Sanchez — currently ranked third in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) rankings — has been granted mandatory challenger status for a fight with the organization's main champion, who is currently Oleksandr Usyk.
Sanchez, who suffered his only career defeat in May 2024, a seventh-round knockout to German Agit Caballe, won his second consecutive victory and the 26th of his professional career. The Cuban held the WBC continental belt and the WBO-NABO title, both of which he lost after losing to Caballe.
Oleksandr Usyk also holds the WBO and WBC belts and has contenders from these organizations — Briton Moses Itauma and German Kabayel, respectively. At the same time, the Ukrainian announced his intention to become the absolute world champion for the fourth time before the fight with Rico Verhoeven.