Known as "Kid Vegas", Sanchez turned professional in 1996. As a professional Sanchez was able to achieve some success, but was hampered by a questionable chin, which resulted in three brutal knockout losses. He was considered a very hard puncher, which was highlighted in his high-profile fight with
Naseem Hamed. He knocked Hamed down (although the referee did not rule it an official knockdown), and landed some hard bombs that shook Naseem. Sanchez in return suffered a brutal KO loss at the hands of Hamed, which resulted in him leaving the ring on a stretcher. He did return, beating a shot
Luisito Espinosa, but losing by a 30-second KO to
John Michael Johnson in 2001. Following this loss the
Nevada State Athletic Commission denied the renewal of Sanchez's boxing license. Sanchez has attempted to regain his boxing license once with Nevada, but was denied, due to the brutality of his knockout losses. In 2009, Sanchez reapplied for his license and, after passing all required medical tests, he was granted a license to fight again. Sanchez chose not to return to the ring stating that he reapplied for his license because he wanted the decision to retire to be his decision, not anyone else's. == Boxing trainer ==