“I just want to get back to where I belong,” said Sanchez during Thursday’s press conference. “Get back to my spot and be the first Cuban heavyweight champion.”

The winner will move into position as a future IBF mandatory challenger, though Sanchez made it clear his focus remains entirely on Torrez rather than possible title opportunities down the line.

Sanchez returned from the Kabayel defeat with a stoppage win over Ramon Olivas Echeverria, but enters Saturday’s fight as a sizeable underdog against the unbeaten Torrez, who is coming off wins over Guido Vianello and Tomas Salek.

Despite that, Sanchez says he believes his experience and technical ability will be the difference once they step into the ring.

“He’s a great boxer,” Sanchez said about Torrez Jr. “But I’m the more technical boxer, and I will show that on Saturday.”

Torrez enters the fight with a 14-0 record and 12 knockouts, while Sanchez believes this is the fight that can move him back toward the heavyweight title picture after his momentum stalled over the last year.