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Heavyweight contender Frank Sanchez ended a harder-than-expected fight in dramatic fashion on the Canelo Alvarez-Callum Smith card Saturday in San Antonio.

Julian Fernandez, a journeyman from Mexico, was able to survive for six-plus rounds with guile and some athleticism. However, midway through Round 7, Sanchez (17-0, 13 KOs) hurt Fernandez (14-3, 11 KOs) with a straight right and put him through the ropes with a follow-up punch.

Referee Jon Schorle waved off the fight with Fernandez, his nose bloodied, lying on the apron. The official time was 1:35 of the seventh round.

Sanchez, a former Cuban amateur who is ranked by three of the four major sanctioning bodies, could face a contender for the first time next year.