Frank Sanchez is one victory away from guaranteeing a world heavyweight title fight.
The Cuban faces Richard Torrez Jnr in an IBF final eliminator this Saturday, with the winner becoming mandatory challenger for the IBF belt that is currently held by unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Sanchez vs Torrez Jr is on the undercard of Usyk's fight against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in Giza, Egypt, and there is uncertainty about whether the 39-year-old Ukrainian will take on lucrative bouts instead of title defences at this stage of his career.
But Sanchez's manager Mike Borao is optimistic that his fighter can secure a shot at Usyk, telling Your Site: "Frank is facing a top, undefeated, relentless southpaw in Torrez - an opponent that no one is looking past.
"That said, I think Usyk would welcome a fight with Frank, particularly with an impressive win. After all, Usyk has six wins over Fury, Joshua, and Dubois, and he's starting to run out of opponents!"
Sanchez's sole defeat came against Agit Kabayel in 2024 while he was hampered by a knee injury, but he has undergone stringent preparations for the Torrez Jr fight, under the tutelage of Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez's trainer.
"I expect a great performance from Frank this weekend," said Borao, who also represents Teofimo Lopez and the Irish duo of Aaron and Stephen McKenna.
"He has the best coach, Eddy Reynoso, in his corner, and he's worked extremely hard.
"I know they've done everything possible to prepare."
Torrez Jr holds a destructive unbeaten record, which features 12 stoppages in his 14 victories, although he is taking a major step up in class against Sanchez.
For Sanchez it is a career-defining clash and an opportunity to enforce his chance to make history.
"Frank's focus is on getting past Torrez on May 23," said Borao.
"Only after that can he think about the future and his goal of becoming the first Cuban heavyweight champion."
