Deportes

Boxer Richard Torrez Jr. victorious in second pro fight, knocks out opponent in 1 minute

Roberto Zavala Jr (L) and Richard Torrez Jr (R) exchange punches during their heavyweight fight on July 15, 2022 in Temecula, California.
Roberto Zavala Jr (L) and Richard Torrez Jr (R) exchange punches during their heavyweight fight on July 15, 2022 in Temecula, California. Top Rank via Getty Images

Boxer Richard Torrez Jr. emerged victorious in his second professional fight on July 15 at the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula.

The 2020 U.S. Olympic silver medalist from Tulare improved to 2-0 with a first-round stoppage over Roberto Zavala Jr.

Torrez showed his power knocking out Zavala in under 1 minute.

“I want to thank Top Rank for keeping me active and giving me the platform to showcase my talents,” said Torrez.

The rising heavyweight made his professional boxing debut in front of thousands of fans at the Save Mart Center in Fresno back in March 2022 when he won by TKO over Allen Melson.

Prior to his second fight, Torrez said his debut “broke through a lot of different things I needed to be able to do as a pro” and that will help him out in future fights.

The 23-year-old boxer called his debut fight “awakening because at the Olympics there was no crowd.”

To prepare for his second fight, Torrez said he did differently by working with his team back home to improve his nutrition.

“I think that’s the last step that we have to accomplish. And so, we’re, we’re, we’re all in now,” Torrez said.

Richard Torrez Jr inside the ring before his heavyweight fight with Roberto Zavala Jr, on July 15, 2022 in Temecula, California.
Richard Torrez Jr inside the ring before his heavyweight fight with Roberto Zavala Jr, on July 15, 2022 in Temecula, California. Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc Top Rank via Getty Images

The Mission Oak High grad is wasting little time getting back to work.

Torrez will return in a six-rounder against Marco Antonio Canedo on Saturday, Aug. 27, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.

Torrez-Canedo will open the televised tripleheader headlined by the junior welterweight main event between former world champions José “Sniper” Pedraza and Richard “RC” Commey. Pedraza-Commey, the Jared Anderson-Miljan Rovcanin heavyweight co-feature and Torrez Jr.-Canedo will be televised live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 7:30 p.m. Pacific time. Canedo (4-2, 2 KOs), from Michoacán, México, is a five-year pro who will be making his stateside debut.

“Every fight is a learning experience, and I can’t wait until August 27 in Tulsa,” Torrez said.

Roberto Zavala Jr (L) and Richard Torrez Jr (R) exchange punches during their heavyweight fight on July 15, 2022 in Temecula, California.
Roberto Zavala Jr (L) and Richard Torrez Jr (R) exchange punches during their heavyweight fight on July 15, 2022 in Temecula, California. Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc Top Rank via Getty Images
Boxer Richard Torrez Jr. will return in a six-rounder against Marco Antonio Canedo on Saturday, Aug. 27, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.
Boxer Richard Torrez Jr. will return in a six-rounder against Marco Antonio Canedo on Saturday, Aug. 27, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.

Esta historia fue publicada originalmente el 18 de julio de 2022, 3:42 p. m..

María G. Ortiz-Briones
The Fresno Bee
María G. Ortiz-Briones is a reporter and photographer for McClatchy’s Vida en el Valle publication and the Fresno Bee. She covers issues that impact the Latino community in the Central Valley. She is a regular contributor to La Abeja, The Bee’s free weekly newsletter on Latino issues. | María G. Ortiz-Briones es reportera y fotógrafa de la publicación Vida en el Valle de McClatchy y el Fresno Bee. Ella cubre temas que impactan a la comunidad latina en el Valle Central. Es colaboradora habitual de La Abeja, el boletín semanal gratuito de The Bee sobre temas latinos. Apoye mi trabajo con una subscripción digital
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