30.04.09 – By Jaime Castro-Núñez – Almost ten months have passed since knockout artist Ricardo “Mochuelo” Torres lost his WBO light welterweight title against Kendall Holt in Las Vegas. As everybody recalls, Torres was easily out powering the rival, having Holt down twice within the first thirty-two seconds of the first stanza, until Holt ended matters with a vicious head butt that knocked Torres out. The referee in charge, Jay Nady, who apparently did not see the fault, halted the contest and Holt claimed the belt.
Today, 29-year-old Ricardo Torres is aware of the fact that he is a much better boxer than Kendall Holt, but with nothing at stake, Torres-Holt III is virtually meaningless.. Fortunately for his fans, the Barranquilla-based pugilist knows the only thing he can do is to keep boxing in order to get another opportunity, now at 147. His manager, Mr. Billy Chams, told him recently:
“It´s only up to you to become world champion again.” Those words encouraged Torres, who immediately put the gloves on and started to train.
However, before fighting any 147-pound contender, Ricardo Torres will have a tune-up fight in Barranquilla at Prado Mar Hotel on May 15th against Venezuelan Darwin Medina. The card is organized by Cuadrilátero Promotions and will be held in front of the Caribbean Sea. Torres, who is making his 147-pound debut, understands that things will not be easy against top opponents, even though he claims to be ready for Joshua Clottey or Andre Berto. “I still have the enthusiasm of my fist days as a boxer and the desire to reign in my division,” he stated last Tuesday April 28 in Barranquilla´s Suite Prado Hotel. His long-time friend and trainer, Orlando Pineda, said that Torres has learned from mistakes and that his pupil is willing to do his best in order to sparkle at 147. “Torres is no longer a light welterweight, that´s why he is moving to the welterweight division, that´s why he didn´t fight Kendall Holt last time. He is ready for any big name,” he stated.
Other Interesting Fights
Other boxers that will be fighting on May 15 at Prado Mar Hotel are: Daulis Prescott, William Urina, Raúl Pinzón, José Mosquera, Darley Pérez and Milton Núñez (see picture). Breidis Prescott´s brother, featherweight Daulis (16-0-0) faces José Palma; 23-year-old bantamweight prospect William Urina (5-0-0) will step up against Adolfo Ramos (16-6-0); Raúl Pinzón vs. Milton Núñez and 2008 Olympian Darley Pérez (4-0-0) vs. César Arenilla (2-1-1).