Oleksandr Usyk has vowed to continue boxing as the heavyweight scene around him continues to take a new shape.
Usyk is history’s first-ever two-time undisputed champion, having twice beaten the likes of Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua.
His latest move was to vacate his WBO belt after saying he has no interest in fighting his mandatory challenger, Fabio Wardley, but says he will fight on in 2026, with Deontay Wilder one possible opponent he has named.
He is still in possession of the IBF, WBA and WBC belts, however, and will have to defend them at some point.
Right now, pretenders to his throne are battling for their own positions and in a new post on X by respected boxing journalist Dan Rafael, details of one showdown that could lead to a mandatory challenger for Usyk being decided have been shared.
“News: Heavyweight Richard Torrez has agreed to participate in the IBF final eliminator vs. Frank Sanchez, and the sides were formally ordered to begin negotiations. They have until Dec. 17 to make a deal or a purse bid will be scheduled at a 50-50 split.”
American Torrez won a silver medal at the 2020 Olympic Games and has since had 14 fights against the likes of Guido Vianello and former Wilder victim Tyrrell Herndon, winning all of them and 12 by KO.
Cuban Sanchez made his professional debut back in 2015 and has had 27 fights and won 25 of them with the best names on his record, including Junior Fa, Efe Ajagba and Christian Hammer, though he lost to Agit Kabayel in 2024.
