Tulare’s Richard “Keke” Torrez silenced the critics once again Saturday night in Las Vegas, for how long this time? Only time will tell. It seems that some people watching are in a hurry. Including the former two division champion and Top Rank ringside commentator Timothy Bradley Jr., who has been unable to contain himself when it comes to showing his cards on who his favorites are. Bradley might as well have made a bet in the Vegas books, if he did not have one already the way he cheered for the Italian Heavyweight Guido Vianello.
Who took on The Central Valley’s Richard “Keke” Torrez Jr. in the main of Top Rank on ESPN+ on Saturday April 5th, 2025, from the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, NV.
Torrez Jr., a south paw approached the main event with a plan that surprised Vianello in the first few rounds. Torrez Jr. pressed the action while scoring with his right hand instead. The taller fighter, Vianello could only grab and hold on as he tried to figure out what adjustments to make. Following multiple warnings, the referee would deduct a point from Vianello for holding too much in round two. Torrez Jr did a great job fighting on the inside and throwing punches up high as he exited on the exchanges.
With Torrez Jr. ahead on the score cards through three rounds. Vianello began to use his height and length better midway through the fight, landing a hard right hand in round five. Vianello followed up with another few good rounds making the fight close on the scorecards going into round eight.
“That’s what we do! We fight back!” Yelled Timothy Bradley Jr. through the ESPN+ broadcast, “Let’s go Vianello!” … After a moment of silence and maybe a nudge from his colleague, Bradley Jr. followed up with “uh yeah, let’s go Torrez.” A little comedy in the commentary booth is always fun, plus the support behind Torrez Jr. drowns out the nay sayers, even when they have a mic.
Along with Central Valley residence in attendance in Las Vegas, The Galaxy Theater in Tulare, California held a free watch party for their very own “Keke” Torrez Jr. The line outside the theater would quickly lead to standing room only, with some fans watching the bout on the smaller tv’s by the concession stands. There were also 500 Tulare, Team Torrez t-shirts made and handed out to the community leading up to the fight.
Torrez Jr. would land a left over hand bomb that had Vianello dazed and looking to clinch in round eight. Vianello survived the round but was met with the same energy in round nine. As Torrez Jr. unloaded on Vianello along the ropes. Torrez Jr. would finish the bout the fresher fighter, still using his footwork in the final rounds as the fight went the distance. Following ten rounds of action judges scored the fight (97-92, 98-91, 98-91) a unanimous decision for Richard “Keke” Torrez. Who is now 13-0 and the NABF, NABO, and IBF North American Heavyweight Champion.
When asked about Vianello’s adjustments mid-way through the fight, Torrez Jr. responded,
“He’s an Olympian, I never gave Guido any slake, I gave him all the credit. He’s a great fighter from Italy, number one in his country you know I have nothing but respect for him but, Tulare came out today!”
“I don’t say no to fights, I want that to be clear, I want that to be known. Whoever you guys give me, I’m going to say yes to. It’s just a matter of time, I trust Top Rank, I trust Bob Arum.”
“He proved the critics wrong he can go ten rounds at a good pace. He adapted, he came back and he did exactly what we we’re wanting him to do in the corner. He did excellent.”
In other results:
Lindolfo Delgado defeats Elvis Rodriguez by majority decision, judges scored the fight (96-94, 96-94, 95-95)
Abdullah Mason defeats Carlos Ornelas by tko in round 7.
Steven Navarro defeats Juan Esteban Garcia by tko in round 4.
Albert "Chop Chop" Gonzalez defeats Dana Coolwell by unanimous decision.
Jahi Tucker defeats Troy Williamson by unanimous decision.
DJ Zamora defeats Hugo Castañeda by tko in round 4.
Art Barrera Jr. defeats Daijohn Gonzalez by tko in round 2.
Samuel Contreras defeats Robert Jimenez by tko in round 1.
Great job by the City of Tulare, The Galaxy Theater, and everyone who was involved in hosting a great watch party. The event was well organized and ran smoothly. We look forward to more events like this in the future.
Visit the Galaxy Theater online at www.galaxytheatres.com/movie-theater/tulare
Photos courtesy of Top Rank. Visit Top Rank at www.toprank.com for more info.
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By: Daniel "Big Trip" Quintana www.noweakshitever.com
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