American heavyweight prospect Richard Torrez Jr. is ready to prove himself against tougher competition as he continues his professional journey. The 2020 Olympic silver medalist will face Issac Munoz Gutierrez today on the undercard of the Oscar Valdez vs. Emanuel Navarrete rematch at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, live on ESPN.
Despite his impressive record, Torrez is keenly aware of the risks of moving up too quickly, citing Jared Anderson’s loss to Martin Bakole as a cautionary example. However, the 25-year-old feels prepared to take on stiffer challenges, trusting the careful guidance of Top Rank matchmakers Bruce Trampler and Brad Goodman.
"If it was up to me, I’d take the big step up tomorrow," said Torrez. "I trust Top Rank’s process and legacy of building champions. If a title shot came tomorrow, I’d jump at it, but I understand this is a process, especially for heavyweights."
Watch the Best heavyweight knockouts from Richard Torrez Jr.: Watch
Torrez’s last fight in September against Joey Dawejko ended in a disqualification win when Dawejko repeatedly spit out his mouthpiece. While the outcome maintained Torrez’s undefeated record, it marked the end of his knockout streak. Torrez now aims to re-establish his KO form against Gutierrez, a hard-hitting Mexican heavyweight who has primarily fought in his home country.
"I respect his boxing abilities and know he’s coming to fight," Torrez said. "I don’t go in predicting knockouts because when you look for them, they don’t come. I want to show my boxing, defense, and head movement."
With a new generation of heavyweights like Fabio Wardley, Jared Anderson, and Frazer Clarke on the rise, Torrez is determined to make his mark in the division.
"Next year is the time to establish my name," Torrez said. "I want to prove I’m progressing and show people I’m more than just a slugger. This fight is another step in the right direction."
Image Credit: Sky Sports