The road to undisputed glory is rarely a straight line — and for Tyson Fury, things may be getting more complicated. With his historic showdown against Oleksandr Usyk originally set for May 18th, 2024, a new wrinkle has entered the picture: the WBC could order Fury to face Cuba’s Frank Sanchez before the belts are unified.
Is it just talk, or a genuine possibility?
Frank Sanchez: The WBC’s Wildcard?
Frank Sanchez, the slick and undefeated Cuban heavyweight, has made it clear he wants the fight.
“I’m ready for anyone,” Sanchez recently said. “Even Tyson Fury. I’ll prove I belong with the best.”
He’s ranked, he’s vocal — and the WBC may just see him as overdue for a shot.
With Fury having not faced a mandatory since Dillian Whyte in April 2022, there’s growing chatter that the WBC could flex its authority. It would be a massive shake-up, and one that could delay or derail Fury’s long-awaited clash with Usyk.
Fury’s Struggles Against Ngannou
Let’s not forget: Fury’s last outing, against MMA star Francis Ngannou, was anything but smooth. Yes, Fury got the win on points — but he was dropped, outmuscled at times, and looked worryingly flat.
“Every fight teaches me something,” Fury admitted afterward. “There’s work to be done.”
Against a slick mover like Sanchez, any lingering vulnerabilities could be exposed. It’s not just a sideshow — it’s a serious risk.
WBC Mandate Incoming?
The big question now: will the WBC actually order the Tyson Fury vs Frank Sanchez fight?
They haven’t made a formal announcement yet, but with Sanchez highly ranked and the mandatory overdue, it’s on the table. If enforced, Fury would have to choose — fight Sanchez first, or risk being stripped of the WBC title before facing Usyk.
That would instantly kill the four-belt undisputed showdown. For more on how mandatory challengers affect major fights, check out this explainer on boxing’s ranking system.Does This Delay Help or Hurt Fury?
It’s a double-edged sword. A win over Sanchez would sharpen Fury before Usyk. But it’s also a dangerous fight — with far less reward. For someone like Fury, who’s spoken openly about retirement more than once, any unnecessary delay could backfire.
Sanchez has the skills to cause problems. Fast, mobile, and technically sound — he’s the type of fighter who could make Fury look his age.
Conclusion: Still On the Road to Usyk… For Now
As things stand, Fury is still expected to face Usyk in their rescheduled date later this year. But boxing is never straightforward. If the Tyson Fury vs Frank Sanchez fight becomes a WBC-mandated obligation, the landscape changes overnight.
For now, we wait. But one thing’s clear — every day that passes without confirmation keeps the heavyweight division in limbo.