For years, US boxing has lacked a heavyweight with world championship potential. Now a young southpaw who is still undefeated as a professional is coming into focus: Is Richard Torrez Jr. the man America has been waiting for?
Heavyweight boxing “Made in the USA” was once a big thing. Resounding names such as Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, George Foreman, Larry Holmes and Riddick Bowe created storms of enthusiasm and left their mark on the premier class. But that was a long time ago. Although there were a few hopefuls, they were nothing more than flashes in the pan. Take Deontay Wilder, for example, who completely lost the plot after his defeat to Tyson Fury. The truth is: In the current BOXSPORT rankings, there is not a single US-American in the heavyweight top ten.
That is soon to change with Richard Torrez Jr. The southpaw from California has many qualities that have been lacking in the US heavyweight division of late. Now he is knocking loudly on the door to the top of the world. Torrez Jr. was literally born into the sport. Grandfather Manuel was once Southwest Golden Gloves Champion, father Richard Sr. reached the quarter-finals of the US qualifiers for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. “Boxing is just in my blood,” said the 26-year-old, who describes himself as very ambitious. “I think boxing is one of the fairest sports there is. I want to see how far I can go.”
Text by Marcus Holzer
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