Frank Sanchez Knocks Out Richard Torrez Jr In Two Rounds

Heavyweights only need one clean counter to end a fight. Sanchez waited for his and missed.

Sanchez controlled the distance with the jab early on, forcing Torrez to reach for his offense instead of coming in behind equal combinations. He pushed forward, tried to close the distance quickly, and looked to force an exchange. Sanchez didn't look in a hurry. He stayed behind the jab, kept his feet under him, and gave Torrez a different look while punching at range.

The opening cycle is set at a limited speed. Torrez was a busy player going forward, but Sanchez looked comfortable taking small steps back and lining up counters. He was reading scriptures.

The second one finished it.

Torrez came in again looking to attack and Sanchez fired a right hand straight into the open area. The shot landed cleanly and dropped Torrez hard to the canvas. He tried to collect himself and hit the counter, but his legs gave an answer he couldn't.

Torrez's difficult style leaves him square when he comes in aggressively, and Sanchez has timed the opening well.

The referee came in immediately.

Sanchez entered the fight in need of a statement after a loss to Agit Kabayel halted his progress. He returned earlier this year against the opposition, but questions remained about where he stood among the best players of all time.

The win moves Sanchez closer to another title shot. Torrez is taking the first loss of his professional career after running into the heavyweight who held back and got a shot before the fight had time to fully develop.