By scoring a statement stoppage in the IBF heavyweight title eliminator, Sanchez (26-1, 19 KOs) immediately catapulted himself to the most advantageous position of his nine-year career.

"The Cuban Flash" now patiently waits to face Filip Hrgovic (21-1, 16 KOs), who picked up the vacant IBF title after dramatically blasting Moses Itauma in August. Sanchez, the mandatory challenger, allowed the pair to fight for the belt despite the sanctioning body ordering a fight between Sanchez and Itauma. Sanchez received a significant fee for stepping aside, but now he is standing strong to get his well-deserved shot at a heavyweight title.

"Everything has been going great for me after beating Torrez," Sanchez told The Ring. "I'm really happy to have this great win. I'm anxious and can't wait to fight Hrgovic.

"I strongly feel that I am the best heavyweight in the world. I also knew that going into the Torrez fight, but a lot of people doubted me. I didn't pay attention to any of that, though. I was the technically superior fighter, and I proved that."

Sanchez certainly showed he's still a cracking contender when he plastered Torrez with a picture-perfect right hand. Torrez was listed as a nearly -425 betting favorite heading into the fight, while Sanchez was a +300 underdog.

"Of course the odds were ridiculous, but I didn't really care," Sanchez said. "It only made the win that much bigger because it surprised everybody but me and my team."

Sanchez, a 34-year-old Floridian from Guantanamo, Cuba, and currently ranked No. 5 in the division, also looked more physically fit for the occasion after battling through a knee injury, which later required surgery, during a seventh-round knockout loss against Agit Kabayel in May 2024.

"This time around I had a chef and nutritionist. I worked extremely hard in camp, and my knee didn't bother me even once during training. I felt fantastic," Sanchez said.

"I know that when I face Kabayel in a rematch, I'm going to beat him. I don't regret fighting him with a bad knee at the time. I didn't feel great in the fight, but it is what it is. That's boxing. You have injuries. It's just one of those things in life. But feeling the way that I do now, and being injury-free, I'm confident that nobody is going to beat me."

Sanchez is growing increasingly confident with each passing day as he waits to face the Croatian sensation Hrgovic.

"I've been well-versed in boxing since my amateur days, but training with Eddy Reynoso and alongside Canelo Alvarez has helped me develop so much as a pro," Sanchez said. "I always learn new things and keep getting better and better. I'm thankful for everything they've done for my career.

"I can't wait to become the first Cuban heavyweight champion. That's always been my dream, and I will complete that goal."