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Richard Torrez Jr. sees Frank Sanchez Eliminator as leverage for the IBF title

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Richard Torrez Jr celebrates another heavyweight victory

Richard Torrez Jr. he faces an IBF eliminator with Frank Sanchez, who understands exactly what victory can – and cannot – bring.

Even if he manages to overtake Sanchez, the title fight may not come until the end of 2027. At 25 years ancient, this timeline isn’t concerning for Torrez – it fits his stage of development.

Eliminator is a positioning, not a promise

The newfangled heavyweight division does not move in straight lines. Titles are being slowed down by rematch clauses, optional defenses and sanction rotation. Being next in line doesn’t always mean being next in the ring.

In the IBF structure, this setting is vital. Even if the champion is tied, the sanctioned challenger remains in line.

Torrez doesn’t downplay the task ahead of him.

“I can’t wait to show everyone what I can do. This is definitely my toughest fight. Frank Sanchez is quick, robust and has a lot of qualities that stand out in the heavyweight division. This is a great place for me to show who I am as a fighter and show what I can achieve.”

Why the timeline fits Torrez Jr.

For Torrez, the delayed title opportunity reinforces the long game. He’s still growing into the heavyweight division and refining the way he applies pressure at that level. The 18-month runway allows for such development without forcing a championship date before development is complete.

It’s also clear that this moment won’t overwhelm him.

“I’m very proud of who I am and where I come from, but that’s not my main goal. I’m not trying to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. I just have to go out and fight. I’m here and ready to show everything I am.”

Torrez believes its foundations are already in place.

“The best thing I’m doing is perfecting what makes Richard Torrez, Richard Torrez. I believe I have the best fitness in the game. If I’m consistent and follow the game plan, I can show what I’m capable of.”

This approach suits a challenger who can afford to be patient. If the IBF title picture drags on, Torrez can stay dynamic, continue to build in the U.S. and enter a potential championship fight as a fully formed heavyweight rather than as a prospect.

Frank Sanchez performs an instant test

None of this reduces the risk Sanchez poses. Torrez recognized the risk and opportunity in equal measure.

“I want the hardest fights and I want to be the best. Frank is one of the better fighters in the division. He showed his skills and proved himself. I also want to prove myself. This is the best way to consolidate my position in the professional game.”

He also expects a stylistic contrast to define the night.

“This fight will showcase the Latin style of heavyweights. It’s not something that has been seen too often before. I have that Mexican style in me and I’m ready to show my perseverance and determination against someone as clever as Frank. It will be an exhilarating clash of styles.”

Torrez is coming off a year where he was a headliner and continued to grow his profile.

“Last year was a good year. We had the main event and were able to showcase our style. I’m looking forward to continuing this process.”

If he can do that, the eliminator will be more than just a victory. This earns him a spot in the IBF order and ensures that whenever a title picture appears, his name cannot be ignored.


About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

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Boxing

Eddie Hearn questions Dana White’s boxing future

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Image: Eddie Hearn Questions Whether Dana White Can Handle Boxing

“I just don’t think they’re going to face the fire,” Hearn told iFL TV about Dana White and his company at Zuffa.

“You have years of catching, putting out fires and being bombarded with pellets and grenades to overcome this.

“I just don’t think they’ll be ready for the fire. You must be a little unwell.” [__] to do this. That’s what I do.”

Hearn also ridiculed White’s recent comments about boxing promotion and said the UFC president faces criticism now that he is in the boxing industry.

“He stank,” Hearn said.

“He’s not used to this. Don’t forget what we do, which is meeting people, giving interviews. But he had a narrative.

“He didn’t have anyone like that. That’s why he can’t do it and instead just says weird lyrics.”

Hearn later joked that White’s repeated comments about him actually helped escalate his visibility in the United States.

“I have to thank Dana White,” Hearn said.

“Every press conference he holds, he talks about me.

“I think there are people asking, ‘Who is this Eddie Hearn?’ Little Google, boss, Eddie Hearn.

Promoter Matchroom also rejected White’s recent claim that no promoter has staged more boxing events this year than Zuffa Boxing.

“The entire media audience responded, ‘Okay,’ and moved on to the next question,” Hearn said.

“Imagine if I said that. I would be fried by it in an instant.”

Hearn’s latest comments come as Zuffa Boxing continues to try to establish itself in the sport following months of public photos between White and several longtime boxing promoters.

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Roy Jones Jr Says There’s ‘Only One Fight Ahead’ for David Benavidez: ‘You’ll Beat Everyone’

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Roy Jones Jr says there is ‘only one fight’ for David Benavidez next: “You beat everyone else”

Roy Jones Jr urged David Benavidez to follow in his footsteps rather than fight Dmitry Bivol in an undisputed lithe heavyweight clash.

The “Mexican Monster” appears the sixth round ended with a victory over Gilberto Ramirezwhom he dethroned earlier this month to become three-division world champion.

However, despite winning the WBO and WBA cruiserweight titles, Benavidez expressed interest in returning to 175 pounds, where he still holds the WBC belt.

That would mean chasing unified champion Bivol, who must first defeat IBF mandatory challenger Michael Eifert on May 30.

The Russian hasn’t fought since he overtook Artur Beterbiev in February 2025, when he exacted revenge by majority decision and became the undisputed king.

Bivol then vacated the WBC title after deciding to undergo back surgery, which allowed Benavidez to be promoted from “interim” to full champion.

But rather than return to lithe heavyweight, Jones would prefer to see Benavidez test his skills at heavyweight, as he did against John Ruiz in 2003.

In a conversation with professional boxing fans, the pound-for-pound legend said that a fight with Oleksandr Usyk, who still holds the WBC, IBF and WBA titles, is the only fight that makes sense for him.

“This is the only fight for him right now and the only fight I want to see him in.

“You beat everyone in every other category, [so] go upstairs and fight Usyk. This is the best fight for him.”

While Benavidez has expressed a desire to challenge Usyk at heavyweight, he has said he won’t be ramping up his weight gain anytime soon and is therefore much more likely to receive his next assignment against Bivol.

It then remains to be seen whether Usyk will stay in the sport long enough to face the 29-year-old, which could end up fighting another heavyweight champion.

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Keyshawn Davis missed weight again for the rematch

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Image: Keyshawn Davis Misses Weight Again Ahead Of Nahir Albright Rematch

The weigh-ins quickly turned tense when Albright apparently sent a message directly to Davis during their bout.

“Be a professional,” Albright said in a recording later released by DAZN Boxing.

The lack of weight immediately sparked a backlash online, as Davis has dealt with weight issues before. Last year, Davis lost his WBO lightweight title after losing more than four pounds ahead of his scheduled defense against Edwin De Los Santos.

Friday also marked the second time Davis has failed to make weight in his last three fights.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum admitted that Davis was having difficulty gaining 140 pounds and suggested that the problem may still exist.

“Well, obviously he has issues at 140,” Arum told Fighthype. “The problem is the next category is seven pounds. That’s a gigantic difference.”

Arum also compared Friday’s setback to the loss of Davis, who was previously more than four pounds compact before his canceled fight with De Los Santos last year.

“It was inexcusable because he was five pounds overweight,” Arum said.

“He is now 0.1 weight off which he will improve and get down to 140 or less.”

Keyshawn was later asked by DAZN what he told Albright during Friday’s matchup.

“I didn’t say anything,” Davis said. “That’s what I do. I knock people out.”

When asked what kind of performance he expected in the rematch, Keyshawn gave a compact answer.

“An unexpected spectacle.”

There was already bad blood in the rematch after their first fight in October 2023 was later changed to a no-contest after Keyshawn tested positive for marijuana. Their original meeting initially resulted in Keyshawn winning by a majority vote.

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