Sanchez timed a brutal counter right hand handy Richard Torrez Jr. his first skilled loss within the IBF heavyweight eliminator
Frank Sanchez (26-1, 19 KOs) eeded one clean opening to completely change the heavyweight picture Saturday night in Egypt. The Cuban contender knocked out Richard Torrez Jr. (14-1, 12 KOs) within the second round of their IBF eliminator after timing a devastating counter right hand against the unbeaten pressure fighter.
Heavyweights only need one clean counter to finish a fight. Sanchez waited for his and didn’t miss.
Sanchez controlled the space with the jab early, which forced Torrez to achieve together with his offense as a substitute of stepping in behind balanced combos. He pushed forward, tried to shut distance quickly, and looked to force exchanges. Sanchez never looked rushed. He stayed behind the jab, kept his feet under him, and gave Torrez different looks while boxing at range.
The opening round settled right into a measured pace. Torrez was the busier fighter coming forward, but Sanchez looked comfortable taking small steps back and lining up counters. He was reading the entries.
The second ended it.

Torrez stepped in again trying to attack and Sanchez fired a right hand straight through the opening. The shot landed clean and dropped Torrez heavily to the canvas. He tried to collect himself and beat the count, but his legs gave the reply before he could.
Torrez’s pressure-heavy style leaves him square when stepping in aggressively, and Sanchez timed that opening perfectly.
The referee stepped in immediately.
Sanchez got here into the fight needing an announcement after the knockout loss to Agit Kabayel had stalled his progress. He returned earlier this 12 months against lower-level opposition, however the questions remained about where he stood among the many higher heavyweights.
The win moves Sanchez closer to a different title opportunity. Torrez takes the primary defeat of his skilled profession after running right into a heavyweight who stayed disciplined and located the shot before the fight had time to completely develop.

23 May 2026
Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Frank Sánchez celebrates his win.

23 May 2026
Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Frank Sánchez celebrates his win.
23 May 2026
Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Frank Sánchez celebrates.
23 May 2026
Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Richard Torrez Jr is knocked out by Frank Sánchez.
23 May 2026
Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Richard Torrez Jr is knocked out by Frank Sánchez.
23 May 2026
Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Richard Torrez Jr is knocked out by Frank Sánchez.
23 May 2026
Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Richard Torrez Jr is knocked out by Frank Sánchez.
23 May 2026
Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Richard Torrez Jr is knocked out by Frank Sánchez.
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Last Updated on 2026/05/23 at 4:17 PM


