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Heavyweight final eliminator for Oleksandr Usyk’s title added to Fundora vs Thurman gala

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Heavyweight final eliminator for Oleksandr Usyk’s title added to Fundora vs Thurman card

Oleksandr Usyk will soon have another mandatory challenger.

The Ukrainian became undisputed in the heavyweight division for a second time when he defeated Daniel Dubois last year to regain the IBF belt, although he soon left the WBO, which was taken over by Fabio Wardley.

With WBC interim champion Agit Kabayel providing Usyk with a shot at Usyk’s green and gold belt after a voluntary defense was allowed, the IBF is now set to elevate the challenger to mandatory status as well.

Frank Sanchez, currently ranked third, will face fourth-ranked Richard Torrez Jr. in the elimination final, after other structured fights failed. The fight will be the co-main event Sebastian Fundora’s WBC super welterweight world title defense against Keith Thurman on March 28 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and broadcast live on Prime PPV.

Torrez is one of, if not the most promising teenage heavyweight in the US. The 24-year-old southpaw won silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, losing only to Bakhodir Jalolov in the final, and turned professional with Top Rank shortly thereafter.

He brings a mix of pressure and pedigree to the paid ranks, and despite standing under 6-foot-3, he makes up for it with work speed, stamina and massive hands, keeping 12 of 14 opponents at bay. Torrez has been constantly moved around and his handlers have looked to balance activity with development, but this is a good step towards building on his impressive win over Guido Vianello in 2025. He brings pressure to revitalize the American heavyweight scene.

Cuban Sanchez represents the experienced end of the division’s emerging contenders. Now in his 30s, he built his reputation in the domestic amateur system before defecting and moving to the United States, where he trains under Eddy Reynoso of Canelo Alvarez fame.

Sanchez combines keen counter-attacks with disciplined defense and a balanced approach. His biggest statement victory came against Efe Ajagba in 2021, although he later suffered a defeat against Agit Kabayel.

The two are fighting for their first shot at a world title, which may not actually come against Usyk, who would rather vacate the belt in search of a higher profile fight.

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Frank Warren says Tyson Fury will do what Daniel Dubois did to Joshua

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Image: Frank Warren Says Tyson Fury Will Do What Daniel Dubois Did To Joshua

Frank Warren believes Tyson Fury will not only beat Anthony Joshua when the long-awaited heavyweight clash finally happens, but also stop him.

The All-British clash is scheduled for November, after a delay from its earlier summer date. Warren confirmed that Fury signed a contract for the fight in January, and both men are expected to undergo interim fights before the fight becomes official.


When asked how he sees the fight developing, Warren made it clear he expected Fury to win and pointed to Joshua’s knockout loss to Daniel Dubois as a major factor.

“I think Tyson will win,” Warren told Secondsout, predicting a Tyson Fury knockout over Joshua.

“I think Tyson will stop him.

“Did you see him fight Daniel Dubois? That gives me that confidence. I was sure Daniel Dubois would do it and he did it, and I’m sure Tyson will do the same in brief order, no matter what catches him.”

Earlier in the interview, Warren also suggested that Joshua was still feeling the effects of the Dubois defeat.

“He has the specter and cloud of what happened when he fought Daniel Dubois hanging over him. So, you know, he’s vulnerable if he gets caught now,” Warren said.

Joshua is scheduled to return on July 25 against Kristian Pregna, while Fury is scheduled to fight his own warm-up fight before November. Warren said the location for the proposed blockbuster has yet to be determined, though he confirmed the fight remains signed and will likely take place later this year, provided both heavyweights win their fights.

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Categories Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury

Last update: 2026/06/04 at 23:14

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World champion will be stripped of his title if he refuses to fight David Benavidez next: ‘That’s it’

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World champion to be stripped of title if he refuses to face David Benavidez next: “That’s it”

David Benavidez won the WBA and WBO cruiserweight world titles with his last fight, and the “Mexican Monster” may add to his collection in the future after one of the world champions was ordered to fight him under the threat of being stripped of his belt.

Last month I moved up from light heavyweight and dethroned Gilberto Ramirez in sensational styleBenavidez now holds the WBA (regular) and WBC featherlight heavyweight world titles, as well as his recently won unified cruiserweight crown.

As a result, the 29-year-old must decide whether he should return to the featherlight heavyweight scene or stay in the cruiserweight division, where he put in arguably the best performance of his career last time out after tuning out his fight with Jai Opetaia.

However, Benavidez was also named the WBC cruiserweight mandatory challenger and was ordered to fight WBC cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaelian, another who has been linked to a fight with Opetaia.

If Mikaelian refuses to defend the title against Benavidez, the WBC president announced in an interview for the WBC magazine that he would strip the Armenian of the belt. Boxing Scene.

“The WBC order is Mikaelian against Benavidez. That’s all. If he fights again, he will waive his obligations to the WBC.”

“[There is no deadline] at this time. I will be talking to different managers. This is the highest priority. I look forward to making sure that happens.”

If Mikaeilian decides to continue the fight with Opetaia and thus lose the world title, it can be expected that Polish-born interim champion Michał Cieślak will benefit. Either he will be elevated to full world champion and ordered to make his first defense against Benavidez, or he will be included in a vacant belt fight against the three-division world champion.

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Peter Fury claims Tyson used the wrong tactics against Usyk

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Image: Tyson Fury's Social Media Post Keeps the Joshua Fight Fantasy Alive in the UK

“Well, he has his team there and I’m not criticizing anyone, but in both fights his tactics weren’t good,” Peter said in an interview with Sport Boxing.

“It worked out badly because look, if we have a little guy here who can throw, let’s say, a welterweight who can throw a thousand punches, and we have a heavyweight, will a heavyweight fighter throw a thousand punches with him? No.”

“Or maybe he’ll step in and take one good shot? Absolutely.”

“So basically yes, the strategy was just wrong. It doesn’t mean Usyk was better than him. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t say anything. You misunderstand the tactics and they are wrong.

“And you know, when you look at Usyk’s structure and what he does, when he distances himself and tries to box an elite boxer who is lighter than you and who is giving away pounds, he will ping you all over the shop. That should be noticed,” Peter Fury said.

Tyson Fury announced his return earlier this year and is expected to have a preparatory fight before the start of his scheduled series with Anthony Joshua. Queensbury promoter Frank Warren recently confirmed that Fury’s next opponent could be announced in the coming days, with the long-awaited fight against Joshua expected to take place later this year.

Usyk remains at the top of the heavyweight division and has been ordered to fight WBC interim champion Agit Kabayel. Warren also confirmed that negotiations for the fight are ongoing.

Fury’s third meeting with Usyk has not been announced. Peter Fury, however, remains convinced that the strategy used in the first two fights determined the result.

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