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Heavyweight final eliminator for Oleksandr Usyk’s title added to Fundora vs Thurman card

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Oleksandr Usyk is soon set to have another mandatory challenger.

The Ukrainian became undisputed in the heavyweight division for the second time when he beat Daniel Dubois to win back the IBF belt last year, though soon vacated the WBO, which was picked up by Fabio Wardley.

With WBC interim champion Agit Kabayel guaranteed a shot at Usyk’s green and gold belt following a permitted voluntary defence, the IBF is now set to elevate a contender to mandatory status as well.

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Frank Sanchez, currently ranked number three, will take on Richard Torrez Jr, four, in a final eliminator after other ordered fights fell through. The bout will serve as co-main event to Sebastian Fundora’s WBC Super-Welterweight World title defence against Keith Thurman on March 28 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas and streamed live on Prime PPV.

Torrez is one of, if not the most promising young heavyweight in the US. The 24-year-old southpaw won silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, losing only to Bakhodir Jalolov in the final, and turned professional with Top Rank soon after.

He brings a blend of pressure and pedigree to the paid ranks and, despite standing under 6ft 3in, compensates with work rate, durability and heavy hands, stopping the 12 of his 14 opponents inside the distance. Torrez has been moved steadily, with his handlers keen to balance activity with development, but this is a good step up to build on an impressive 2025 win over Guido Vianello. He carries the pressure of reinvigorating the American heavyweight scene.

Cuba’s Sanchez represents the experienced end of the division’s emerging contenders. Now in his early 30s, he built his reputation through his nation’s amateur system before defecting and relocating to the United States, where he trains under Eddy Reynoso of Canelo Alvarez fame.

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Sanchez combines sharp counterpunching with disciplined defence and a measured approach. His biggest statement win came against Efe Ajagba in 2021, though he later suffered a setback against Agit Kabayel.

Both men compete for a first shot at the world title which, in reality, may not come against Usyk, who would more likely vacate the belt in search of a higher profile fight.

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Sports

“Get married soon, bhai” – Sanju Samson’s hilarious quip on T20 World Cup 2026 star’s popularity

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14 March 2026

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Team India opener Sanju Samson joked that his batting partner Abhishek Sharma should get married soon so that the other players in the side can also enjoy their share of limelight. The keeper-batter also quipped that the left-handed batter’s popularity made other players in the team jealous of him.

Samson was the Player of the Tournament as India won the T20 World Cup 2026 at home last week. He scored 321 runs in five innings at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.38. Samson ended the ICC tournament with three consecutive fifties, registering scores of 97*, 89 and 89. While Abhishek struggled for the most part, he hammered 52 off 21 in the final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2026, Samson shared his views on Abhishek‘s massive popularity. In a lighthearted tone, he commented:

“Earlier the boys used to get jealous because of the cheers for Abhishek. It was Abhishek, Abhishek everywhere. We were like, do people only see him or what?”

The 31-year-old then engaged in some fun leg-pulling of the southpaw and urged the youngster to get married soon. Samson added:

“But yes, he is the superstar of the team now. Get married soon, bhai.”

Abhishek began the T20 World Cup 2026 with three consecutive ducks. He scored a crucial 55 off 30 in the Super 8 match against Zimbabwe in Chennai before registering a whirlwind half-century in the final.

“We are not ice and fire, we are fire and fire” – Sanju Samson on partnership with Abhishek

Speaking at the conclave, Samson also shared his thoughts on his opening partnership with Abhishek. Describing their combination as fire and fire, the Kerala cricketer stated that they try to keep things pretty simple out in the middle. The 31-year-old elaborated:

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“We are not ice and fire, we are fire and fire. Sometimes he fires, sometimes I do. We have that kind of combination going. We have done this since 2024, we have a Kerala-Punjabi friendship in the middle. Everything comes pretty naturally to us, so we do not complicate it. He asks me, ‘How is the ball coming?’ I tell him that the ball is coming normally, hit it for a six. It is really simple with him.

“Abhishek is very brave and collected, I love his character. I really love the partnership with him on and off the field,” the keeper-batter concluded.

Abhishek and Samson got India off to a terrific start in the T20 World Cup 2026 final, adding 98 in 7.1 overs. The partnership was broken when Abhishek was caught behind off Rachin Ravindra. The stunning opening stand paved the way for Team India’s historic triumph.