We’re not quite in “definitively cursed matchup” territory yet, but we’re getting close. Cesar Seda reports and multiple outlets confirm that heavyweight contender Frank Sanchez is out of his scheduled IBF eliminator against Richard Torrez Jr on the upcoming Sebastian Fundora vs Keith Thurman undercard.
Sanchez (25-1, 18 KO), who went through multiple potential opponents and a lengthy negotiation process before getting things ironed out with Torrez, is suffering from “inflammation in [his] surgically repaired right knee” according to ESPN’s Andreas Hale. Sanchez appeared to have damaged his knee ahead of his upset loss to Agit Kabayel two years ago, so it’s understandable that he’d tread cautiously.
Per Carlos Linares, May is “being considered as a tentative new date for the fight,” which would mark Sanchez’s second ring appearance since falling to Kabayel
According to Seda and Carlos Linares, Yoenis Tellez (11-1, 8 KO) could step up on short notice to face Brian Mendoza (23-4, 17 KO) in a replacement bout; the former claims to have signed a contract, but PBC has yet to make an announcement. Both men are coming off of get-well gimmes after noteworthy defeats, Tellez to Abass Baraou in a WBA title bout and Mendoza to Tim Tszyu and Serhii Bohachuk back-to-back. On paper, they should put on an excellent show if it gets over the finish line.
