“I’m ready. I’m ready for Usyk. Usyk, I’m ready for you whenever you want,” Sanchez said after the fight to DAZN Boxing.
The Cuban heavyweight later explained that the knockout came directly from the work he had been drilling in camp with trainer Eddy Reynoso.
“We worked on that shot a lot in the gym with my trainer and my team. We knew we could land it because he comes in from below with his head down,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez also made it clear that he believes he belongs with the best heavyweights in the division despite spending long stretches out of the spotlight.
“The only danger was the pressure he brings, but I worked on that a lot in the gym. Outside of that, I have everything over him. I’m a better boxer, and I have better technique, not only than him, but everybody in the heavyweight division right now,” said Sanchez.
The timing of the callout was interesting because Usyk had earlier gone through difficult moments against Rico Verhoeven, a kickboxing star fighting only his second professional boxing match. Usyk still retained control late and closed the show, but the performance gave other contenders reasons to believe opportunities may exist against the 39-year-old champion.
Sanchez now joins Daniel Dubois, Agit Kabayel, and Tyson Fury as heavyweights openly pursuing a fight with Usyk. Getting the fight may be harder than earning the position.
Fury still offers Usyk the biggest fight available financially. Dubois wants revenge after his stoppage loss, and Anthony Joshua remains attached to a massive all-British event if both continue winning. Sanchez brings danger and technical ability, but he does not carry the commercial profile of Fury, Dubois, or Joshua.
That could leave Sanchez waiting even after earning his place near the front of the IBF line.
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