Lightning KO! Olympic silver medalist Torres Jr. made a strong comeback, winning all 13 games but hiding fatal risks

On Saturday night local time, there was thunderous applause in the San Luis Potosi Arena in Mexico, and a boxing match staged a textbook-level quick victory. The 26-year-old American heavyweight boxer Richard Torrez Jnr ended Czech player Tomas Salek in just 2 minutes and 45 seconds, announcing his strong return with a hearty KO.

This back-up match, which was broadcast live on the ESPN Knockout/Top Rank classic FAST channel (this channel is difficult for Americans to find), can be said to have lost suspense from the moment the bell rang. Although Richard Torres Jr. from Tulare, California, punched extremely cautiously, every blow hit the vital point accurately. In the middle of the game, he hit Salek directly on the bridge of the nose with a powerful right sweeping uppercut, causing his opponent's nose to bleed instantly. When the doctor came forward to check the injury, Salek screamed in pain. The scene was very embarrassing. The referee immediately waved to terminate the game.

This is Torres's easiest victory in the past two years, and it is also his second taste of quick victory after KOing Donald Haynesworth in 139 seconds in December last year. After this battle, the 2020 Olympic silver medalist’s professional record was updated to 13 victories, 11 of which ended his opponents by KO. The winning rate and finishing rate are both outstanding. On the other hand, Salek, who was fighting outside of Europe for the first time, suffered his third defeat in the past four games, and his record dropped to 23 wins, 8 losses, and 14 KOs. This "overseas debut" eventually became an embarrassing "one-day trip."

However, behind the impressive results there are still hidden dangers that cannot be ignored. Looking back on Torres' career, he only completed his first full game eight months ago. In April this year, he won a unanimous decision in 10 rounds with Italian player Guido Vianello, which was one of his few high-intensity confrontation experiences. This time, facing the mediocre Sarek, although the quick victory attracted attention, it did not undergo a real pressure test.

You must know that Moses Itoma, a rising star at the same level, is rushing to the top ranks at a rapid pace. If Torres continues to be limited to such opponents and regional competitions that lack intensity, and does not upgrade his confrontation level as soon as possible and polish his ability to withstand pressure, he is likely to fall behind in a critical period of his career. By the time Itoma steps into the ring to compete for the world boxing title, this American rising star who has maintained a record of victory may still be stuck in the same place, unable to achieve a real breakthrough in his career.