Frank Sanchez is one of the more intriguing up-and-coming heavyweights in the world.
The one-time Cuban amateur star, who reportedly won more than 200 amateur fights, might be as skillful and fluid as any big man in the world. He also has good size (6-foot-4, 222.25 in his last fight), although he’ll probably add some bulk. And he’s only 27, which is young for a heavyweight.
Sanchez (15-0, 11 KOs) has only 15 pro fights but already is ranked No. 10 by one sanctioning body. And he believes he’s ready to fight that organization’s champion, Anthon Joshua.
“I’m ready to beat Anthony Joshua one thousand percent, right now,” Sanchez told BoxingScene.com. “I’ve seen the way he fights and I know of my capabilities,” Sanchez told BoxingScene.com in an interview. “I have the base and amateur background, and that’s helpful. Being with trainer Eddy Reynoso and using new techniques that are used in the pro ranks. It’s really helped and added to my professional career.
“Because of my style, and that I beat a guy that beat him, I feel confident that I can beat Joshua.”
Sanchez missed out on the chance to represent his native country in the 2016 Olympics when the powers that be selected rival Erislandy Savon instead. Soon afterward, he defected through Mexico to the U.S. to began a new life.
“The Cuban Flash” hit the ground running in terms of boxing, rolling over everyone placed in front of him. He’s coming off a near-shutout 10-round decision over durable veteran Joey Dawejko on the Adam Kownacki-Robert Helenius card on March 7 in Brooklyn, which gave him national exposure. That was Sanchez’s first fight with Reynoso.
Guadalupe Valenica, Sanchez’s advisor, believes his fighter is ready for anyone.
“If we received a call from any fighter of the highest level to fight Frank, we would undoubtedly put him in there and feel confident that he would beat them,” Valencia told BoxingScene.com. “With Frank’s amateur experience and the newfound component of Eddy Reynoso, Frank has the tools to fight anybody and compete at the highest levels.
“I have not seen him lose a round ever since he became a professional fighter. He’s one of those guys that doesn’t need a lot of professional fights to [become world champion].”