Tulare's Richard Torrez Jr moves to 10-0 while capturing the NABF Jr Heavyweight title in San Diego

Photo by Matt Heasley/Top Rank

The Central Valley's Richard "Keke" Torrez Jr. is now 10-0 and the new NABF Jr Heavyweight Champion following another tko win in San Diego on Saturday night. Torrez took on fellow undefeated heavyweight Brandon Moore on the undercard of Top Rank: Navarrete vs Berinchyk from the Pechanga Arena on May 18th 2024.

Photo by Matt Heasley/Top Rank

Undefeated heavyweight prospect Brandon Moore came into the fight with a 17-0 record looking to use his height versus Torrez Jr. Round one saw Moore keep the distance, even pushing Torrez Jr. to make space. Referee wouldn't tolerate the attempt at bullying, giving Moore a warning and restarting the action. With Torrez Jr. continuously coming forward, it made it hard for the taller Moore to land anything significant from the outside in his range. Torrez Jr. closed in tying up with Moore and worked the body, while cutting angles to land up stairs as they separated, giving Moore the brawl he was looking for.

Photo by Matt Heasley/Top Rank

Torrez Jr. found a home for some hard right hooks in rounds two and three as Moore looked to be slowing down. Torrez Jr. could feel his opponent fading, letting his pops and trainers know in the corner during the break, " He's Gassing".  The Olympian would keep up the pace attacking with hard hooks then cutting and ducking at angles, to get out of the way and set up to attack again. Torrez did just that perfectly in round five landing a crushing right hook that sent Moore falling back from one corner of the ring to the other. Torrez Jr. would go in for the kill as Moore tried to hang on, but a few more shots and Moore was down.

Photo by Matt Heasley/Top Rank

Moore would beat the referee's ten count and looked to be dazed but still chose to continue. Torrez Jr, would corner Moore and land at will until Moore's corner waved the white towel letting the referee know that their fighter had seen enough. Torrez Jr. gets the tko win at 1:39 in round 5 to move his record to 10-0 and is now the new NABF Jr Heavyweight Champion. 

"I give Moore a lot of respect. Anyone who goes toe to toe like that deserves my respect" Said Torrez Jr. following the win. "He took some really good shots, but at the end of the day, you can only take so much. I expected a lot from him, but I followed the game plan and got the job done."

In other bouts:

Photo by Matt Heasley/Top Rank

The main event saw Ukraine's Denys Berinchyk defeat Emanuel Navarrete by split decision to win the vacant WBO Lightweight title. Judges scored the fight (116-112, 115-113, 116-112).

Photo by Matt Heasley/Top Rank

In the co main event Brian Norman Jr. defeats Giovani Santillan by ko at 1:33 in round 10 to become the new WBO Interim Welterweight World Champion.

Emiliano Vargas defeats Angel Varela by tko at 1:01 in round 6.

Jonny Mansour defeats Anel Dudo by unanimous decision, all three judges scored the fight (40-36).

Alan Garcia defeats Wilfredo Flores by unanimous decision, all three judges scored the fight (80-72).

Jonathan Lopez defeats Edgar Ortega by tko at 2:39 in round 8.

Art Barrera Jr defeats Levy Jose Garcia Benitez by unanimous decision, all three judges scored the fight (40-35).

Top Rank returns on Saturday, May 25th 2024 for Top Rank on ESPN+:Taylor vs Catterall The Rematch.

Visit Top Rank at www.toprank.com  for more info.

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By: Daniel "Trip" Quintana www.noweakshitever.com