Frank Sanchez targeting Anthony Joshua’s WBO title belt as manager believes he will face Oleksandr Usyk as Cuban becomes latest contender for heavyweight honours
- Frank Sanchez is undefeated after 15 fights following his victory last month
- The Cuban’s manager is lining his man up for a title shot at the WBO title belt
- Anthony Joshua is the champion, though Mike Barao expects him to vacate
Undefeated Cuban heavyweight boxer Frank Sanchez is hoping to line up a shot at Anthony Joshua‘s WBO title, but his manager doesn’t expect the Brit to be champion.
The 27-year-old burst into the top ten of the WBO rankings with his 15th straight win after beating Joey Dawejko on points last month.
Joshua meanwhile has been ordered to face Oleksandr Usyk, though Sanchez’s manager Mike Barao has told Sky Sports that he doubts Joshua can meet his WBO commitments and will in fact vacate the championship belt.
Frank Sanchez is lining up a title shot at Anthony Joshua’s WBO title after another victory
However his manager expects Oleksandr Usyk and not Anthony Joshua will be champion
He said: ‘Just a guess but I think Usyk ends up winning a vacated WBO heavyweight title within the next 12 months.
‘Frank is in good position to fight for the WBO championship, in the event that occurs.
‘I believe Frank Sanchez versus WBO number 6 Junior Fa or number seven Michael Hunter would make sense.’
Joshua holds the WBO belt, along with the WBA ‘super’ and IBF titles after beating Andy Ruiz Jr in their rematch in December.
The British boxer was ordered to make title defences against Kubrat Pulev and Usyk, but opted to face the Bulgarian.
The fight which was scheduled to take place on May 23 at the 02 however was put on hold as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Joshua is the reigning WBO champion and was expected to face Usyk before the coronavirus
Sanchez meanwhile has been exploding through the competition so far and is seeking an eliminator fight against Fa or Hunter.
Fa has been named as a possible next opponent for Joseph Parker who stands at number two in the WBO rankings.
Hunter though has yet to return to the ring since his fight with Alekander Povetkin ended up a draw back in December.