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Richard Torrez Jr. (born June 1, 1999 in Tulare, California) is an American professional boxer. As an amateur, Torrez qualified to represent the United States at the 2020 Olympics where he won a silver medal.[1] As a professional, he is 10–0 with 10 knockouts.

Early life and education

Torrez graduated from Palo Verde Elementary School in his native Tulare, California, in 2013. He competed on the chess team for Mission Oak High School,[2] where he graduated as valedictorian in 2017.[3][4] Torrez and his friends in the school's robotics club were nearly suspended for trying to develop more efficient rocket fuel.[5] "At high school, I think what surprised me most is I liked hanging out with the nerds more than I liked hanging out with the athletes," he said.[6] Citing how Vasyl Lomachenko learned dance to improve his boxing footwork,[7] Torrez began studying ballet at the College of the Sequoias.[8] He fell in love with it, and eventually played the part of Gaston in a production of Beauty and the Beast, an experience he found more terrifying than the Olympics.[9]

Amateur career

He won a bronze medal at the 2019 Pan American Games in Super Heavyweight and placed 5th at the 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships in the same weight class.[10][11] He won a silver medal at the 2020 Olympics, losing to a professional boxer Bakhodir Jalolov in the final.

Professional career

2024

On March 3, 2024 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, AZ, Torrez defeated Donald Haynesworth via first-round TKO.[12]

Torrez was scheduled to face Brandon Moore on May 18, 2024 at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, CA.[13] Torrez won the fight by TKO in the fifth round.[14]

Professional boxing record

10 fights 10 wins 0 losses
By knockout 10 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
10 Win 10–0 Brandon Moore TKO 5 (8), 1:39 May 18, 2024 Pechanga Arena, San Diego, California, U.S. Won vacant WBC-NABF Junior heavyweight title
9 Win 9–0 Donald Haynesworth TKO 1 (8), 2:19 Mar 29, 2024 Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona, U.S.
8 Win 8–0

Curtis Harper

TKO 8 (8), 2:03 Dec 9, 2023 Charles F. Dodge City Center, Pembroke Pines, Florida, U.S.
7 Win 7-0 Tyrrell Anthony Herndon KO 2 (6), 1:26 Oct 14, 2023 Fort Bend EpiCenter, Rosenberg, Texas, U.S.
6 Win 6–0

Willie Jake Jr

KO 1 (6), 1:22 Aug 12, 2023 Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona, U.S.
5 Win 5–0

James Bryant

RTD 1 (6), 3:00 Feb 3rd, 2023 Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona, U.S.
4 Win 4–0

Ahmed Hefny

KO 3 (6), 2:36 Oct 29, 2022 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Marco Antonio Canedo KO 1 (6), 0:44 Aug 27, 2022 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Roberto Zavala Jr KO 1 (6), 0:58 Jul 15, 2022 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Allen Melson KO 2 (6), 1:23 Mar 4, 2022 Save Mart Center, Fresno, California, U.S.

Personal life

Torrez Jr. represents the third generation of a boxing family from San Joaquin Valley, California. His great-grandfather, Juan Torrez, emigrated from Fresnillo, Mexico in 1920. His grandfather Manuel Torrez, was a southwest (USA) Golden Gloves champion and his father and coach Richard Torrez Sr. reached the quarterfinals in the U.S. Trials for the 1984 Olympics.[15][16][17]

In his spare time, Torrez Jr. enjoys building rockets with his friends from high school.[18]

References

  1. ^ Galaviz, Anthony (1 June 2021). "'It made everything worth it.' Valley boxer lives Olympic dream after COVID nearly ruined it". The Fresno Bee. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Community cheers on Tulare boxer Richard Torrez Jr. as he fights for gold at Tokyo Olympics". Yourcentralvalley. 8 August 2021.
  3. ^ "A magician and a boxer, Richard Torrez Jr. has a few tricks up his sleeve in pivotal match". USA TODAY. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Family cheers on Tulare boxing star Richard Torrez Jr. as he gears up for Tokyo Olympics". YourCentralValley.com. 29 July 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  5. ^ "I have a 100% KO record as a boxer but in my spare time I build rockets and do ballet". talkSPORT. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  6. ^ "I have a 100% KO record as a boxer but in my spare time I build rockets and do ballet". talkSPORT. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  7. ^ "I have a 100% KO record as a boxer but in my spare time I build rockets and do ballet". talkSPORT. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  8. ^ Santoliquito, Joseph (26 October 2022). "Richard Torrez Jr. uses beauty to sharpen the beast". The Ring. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  9. ^ "I have a 100% KO record as a boxer but in my spare time I build rockets and do ballet". talkSPORT. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  10. ^ "Two USA Boxers prepare for Tokyo". Koaa News 5. 11 June 2021.
  11. ^ "What You Should Know About the 2021 USA Boxing Olympic Team | Complete Roster Breakdown". Inside the Ropes Boxing – Your #1 source for boxing news.
  12. ^ Galaviz, Anthony. "Tulare's Richard Torrez Jr. too much for his latest opponent, picking up TKO win". The Fresno Bee. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  13. ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (10 April 2024). "Richard Torrez Jr vs Brandon Moore kicks off Navarrete-Berinchyk telecast". FIGHTMAG.
  14. ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (19 May 2024). "Richard Torrez Jr drops & stops Brandon Moore in fifth round". FIGHTMAG.
  15. ^ "Richard Torrez Jr.: USA's golden hope among the giants". olympics.com. 5 October 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  16. ^ Sun, Daniel Gligich Daniel Gligich is a reporter for The San Joaquin Valley; Athletics, focusing on Fresno State (16 June 2021). "Olympic glory for Richard Torrez Jr. is three-generation journey from a Tulare boxing club".
  17. ^ "US Olympic Trials - Fort Worth - June 6-10 1984".
  18. ^ "I have a 100% KO record as a boxer but in my spare time I build rockets and do ballet". talkSPORT. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.

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