Boxing

Boxing   |   August 17, 2021

The Story of Richard Torrez Jr (US Silver Medalist at the Tokyo Olympics)

US Silver Medalist at the Tokyo Olympics

Richard Torrez Junior brings in silver after losing the gold medal to Bakhodir Jalolov 5-0 in the Super Heavy-Weight Division contest on the last competition day of the Tokyo Olympics.

He is a third-generation boxer with aspirations of going farther in the Boxing Olympics than his family. The Mission Oak High School graduate became the first United States super heavyweight boxer to bring in a medal since 1988 by Riddick Bowe.   

Richard Torrez First Win at 2020 Tokyo Olympics Debut

Richard Torrez Junior became the first United States super heavyweight boxer to get to the quarterfinals since Jason Estrada back in 2004. His win against the Algerian Chouaib Bouloudinat made him face the Cuban, Dainier Pero.

Torrez threw a body shot that sent down Chouaib Bouloudinats while still in the first round. This gave him the advantage to lead every round against his competitor. All five judges ruled in favor of him, finishing the contest at 5-0.

Richard Torrez Emerges Victor of Bronze Medal in Tokyo Olympics

Richard Torrez Junior ensures the boxing bronze medal is a win against the Cuban boxer, Dainier Pero. The Cuban was a much faster boxer, but Richard Torrez’s aggressive punches set the pace. 

In the first round, he lost to Pero on the cards of four out of five judges. Despite blood oozing from Torrez’s left eye throughout the midway of the second round, he managed to win on the cards of three out of five judges. 

He managed to win the Tokyo Olympics quarterfinals 4-1 against his Cuban rival after a powerful finish where all the five judges awarded him the third round.  

Richard Torrez Earns Silver in the Super Heavyweight Division

The American becomes the first boxer with an opportunity to participate in the super heavyweight gold medal final since Andre Ward won the 2004 Olympics in Athens. He is also included in the USA team as the first Super Heavyweight Champion since 1984.

However, in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Richard Torrez managed to bring in silver after Uzbekistan Bakhodir Jalolov knocked him off 5-0. This marked the finalization of the United States in the Tokyo Olympics.

Despite the 22-year-old falling out of the final bout, he managed to bring home silver after spectacular boxing. He did a good job representing the USA in Tokyo Competitions, and he is expected to compete in the future Olympics for Team USA.

It would have been the biggest day for the United States men’s super heavyweight Tokyo Olympic boxing since 2004. Seventeen years ago is when Andre Ward became the last victor to carry the gold medal for Team USA. However, the American Amateur Boxer aspires to bring the gold medal to Tulare, California, in the future. 

Richard Torrez’s Boxing Journey 

His boxing career began at a young age in Tulare, California, with the help of his family, fans, and friends. The city has two of the greatest Olympic champions, Sim Iness and Bob Mathias, who motivated him to be one of the best flexible boxers.

Richard Torrez’s dad always taught him to learn more regardless of how good he is. Through his humility and dedication to sports, he graduated as a top student from Mission Oak High School and a valedictory speaker.

Below are some of the achievements of the ten-time southpaw boxing champion and currently a member of Team USA.

  • 2013 Junior National Champion
  • 2014 Junior National Champion
  • 2015 Youth National Champion
  • 2015 Youth Open Champion
  • 2015 5th Junior World Champion
  • In 2016 He Received a Bronze Medal at the Youth World Championships in Saint Petersburg, Russia
  • 2017 Elite National Champion 
  • 2017 National Golden Gloves Champion
  • In 2017, He Won the Brandenburg Cup in Frankfurt, Germany
  • In 2018, He Won the Chemistry Cup in Halle, Germany
  • 2018 Elite National Champion
  • In 2019, He Won the Tournament in Strandja, Bulgaria
  • 2019 Elite World Champion
  • In 2019, Richard Torrez Was an Embodiment Qualifier for Team USA at the 2019 Pan American Games Held in Lima, Peru. He received a Bronze Medal and Secured 5th Place at the 2019 Aiba World Boxing Championships.
  • 2020 Boxam International Tournament.
  • In 2020, He Had His First Olympic Experience in Tokyo, Japan.

Richard Torrez is an actual sports ambassador who gave up his social life and grew up as a boxing athlete.