{{Short description|American professional boxer}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2026}}
{{Infobox boxer | name = Richard Torrez | image = | caption = | nickname = {{Plainlist| * The Gentleman Boxer * Kiki }} | weight = Heavyweight | height = 6 ft 2 in | reach = 193 cm | nationality = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|6|1}} | birth_place = Tulare, California, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | style = Southpaw | total = 15 | wins = 14 | KO = 12 |losses = 1 | no contests = |medaltemplates= {{MedalSport|Men's amateur boxing}} {{MedalCountry| the {{USA}}}} {{MedalComp|Olympic Games}} {{MedalSilver|2020 Tokyo|Super-heavyweight}} {{MedalCompetition|Pan American Games}} {{MedalBronze|2019 Lima|Super heavyweight}} {{MedalCompetition | Golden Gloves}} {{MedalGold | 2017 Lafayette | Super-heavyweight}} {{MedalCompetition | U.S. National Championships}} {{MedalGold | 2017 Salt Lake City | Super-heavyweight}} {{MedalGold | 2018 Salt Lake City | Super-heavyweight}} {{MedalCompetition | U.S. Youth National Championships}} {{MedalGold | 2014 Reno | Super-heavyweight}} {{MedalGold | 2015 Reno | Super-heavyweight}} {{MedalGold | 2016 Reno | Super-heavyweight}} {{MedalCompetition | Youth World Championships}} {{MedalBronze | 2016 Saint Petersburg | Super-heavyweight}} }}
'''Richard Torrez Jr.''' (born June 1, 1999) is an American professional boxer. As an amateur, he won a silver medal at the 2020 Olympics.<ref>{{cite web | last=Galaviz | first=Anthony | title='It made everything worth it.' Valley boxer lives Olympic dream after COVID nearly ruined it | website=The Fresno Bee | date=1 June 2021 | url=https://www.fresnobee.com/sports/article251373458.html | access-date=19 July 2023}}</ref>
==Early life and education== Torrez graduated from Palo Verde Elementary School in his native Tulare, California, in 2013. He competed on the chess team for Mission Oak High School,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/japan-2020/community-cheers-on-tulare-boxer-richard-torrez-jr-as-he-fights-for-gold-at-tokyo-olympics/|title=Community cheers on Tulare boxer Richard Torrez Jr. as he fights for gold at Tokyo Olympics|website=Yourcentralvalley|date=8 August 2021|access-date=5 September 2021|archive-date=5 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905193348/https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/japan-2020/community-cheers-on-tulare-boxer-richard-torrez-jr-as-he-fights-for-gold-at-tokyo-olympics/|url-status=dead}}</ref> where he graduated as valedictorian in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A magician and a boxer, Richard Torrez Jr. has a few tricks up his sleeve in pivotal match |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2021/07/31/2021-olympics-american-boxer-richard-torrez-jr-ready-big-match/5441024001/ |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-29 |title=Family cheers on Tulare boxing star Richard Torrez Jr. as he gears up for Tokyo Olympics |url=https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/japan-2020/family-cheers-on-tulare-boxing-star-richard-torrez-jr-as-he-gears-up-for-tokyo-olympics/ |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=YourCentralValley.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Torrez and his friends in the school's robotics club were nearly suspended for trying to develop more efficient rocket fuel.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-11 |title=I have a 100% KO record as a boxer but in my spare time I build rockets and do ballet |url=https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/1529339/heavyweight-prospect-100-percent-ko-build-rockets-ballet/ |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=talkSPORT |language=en-gb}}</ref> "At high school, I think what surprised me most is I liked hanging out with the nerds more than I liked hanging out with the athletes," he said.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-11 |title=I have a 100% KO record as a boxer but in my spare time I build rockets and do ballet |url=https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/1529339/heavyweight-prospect-100-percent-ko-build-rockets-ballet/ |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=talkSPORT |language=en-gb}}</ref> Citing how Vasyl Lomachenko learned dance to improve his boxing footwork,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-11 |title=I have a 100% KO record as a boxer but in my spare time I build rockets and do ballet |url=https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/1529339/heavyweight-prospect-100-percent-ko-build-rockets-ballet/ |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=talkSPORT |language=en-gb}}</ref> Torrez began studying ballet at the College of the Sequoias.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Santoliquito |first=Joseph |date=2022-10-26 |title=Richard Torrez Jr. uses beauty to sharpen the beast |url=https://www.ringtv.com/645775-richard-torrez-jr-uses-beauty-to-sharpen-the-beast/ |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=The Ring}}</ref> He fell in love with it, and eventually played the part of Gaston in a production of ''Beauty and the Beast,'' an experience he found more terrifying than the Olympics.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-11 |title=I have a 100% KO record as a boxer but in my spare time I build rockets and do ballet |url=https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/1529339/heavyweight-prospect-100-percent-ko-build-rockets-ballet/ |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=talkSPORT |language=en-gb}}</ref>
==Amateur career== He won a bronze medal at the 2019 Pan American Games in Super Heavyweight and placed 5th at the 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships in the same weight class.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.koaa.com/news/covering-colorado/two-usa-boxers-prepare-for-tokyo|title=Two USA Boxers prepare for Tokyo|date=June 11, 2021|newspaper=Koaa News 5}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://itrboxing.com/2021/06/29/what-you-should-know-about-the-2021-usa-boxing-olympic-team-complete-roster-breakdown/|title=What You Should Know About the 2021 USA Boxing Olympic Team | Complete Roster Breakdown|website=Inside the Ropes Boxing – Your #1 source for boxing news.|access-date=30 June 2021|archive-date=29 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629170527/https://itrboxing.com/2021/06/29/what-you-should-know-about-the-2021-usa-boxing-olympic-team-complete-roster-breakdown/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He won a silver medal at the 2020 Olympics, losing to professional boxer Bakhodir Jalolov in the final.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Richard Torrez is the USA's super-heavyweight at Tokyo 2020 – finally, a big man to end years of Olympic ignominy? |url=https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/12359014/richard-torrez-is-the-usas-super-heavyweight-at-tokyo-2020-finally-a-big-man-to-end-years-of-olympic-ignominy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813005759/https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/12359014/richard-torrez-is-the-usas-super-heavyweight-at-tokyo-2020-finally-a-big-man-to-end-years-of-olympic-ignominy |archive-date=13 August 2023 |access-date=2025-07-26 |work=Sky Sports |language=en-GB |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Olympic Boxing Day 16: Uzbekistan's Jalolov wins super heavyweight gold on final day of competition {{!}} NBC Olympics |url=https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/olympic-boxing-day-16-uzbekistans-jalolov-wins-super-heavyweight-gold-final-day-competition |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=www.nbcolympics.com |language=en}}</ref>
==Professional career==
===Early career=== On March 3, 2024, at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, AZ, Torrez defeated Donald Haynesworth via first-round TKO.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Galaviz |first1=Anthony |title=Tulare's Richard Torrez Jr. too much for his latest opponent, picking up TKO win|url=https://www.fresnobee.com/sports/article287230015.html |access-date=4 April 2024 |work=The Fresno Bee}}</ref>
Torrez was scheduled to face Brandon Moore on May 18, 2024, at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, CA.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Richard Torrez Jr vs Brandon Moore kicks off Navarrete-Berinchyk telecast |url=https://www.fightmag.com/richard-torrez-jr-vs-brandon-moore-kicks-off-navarrete-berinchyk-telecast/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=10 April 2024}}</ref> Torrez won the fight by TKO in the fifth round.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Richard Torrez Jr drops & stops Brandon Moore in fifth round |url=https://www.fightmag.com/video-richard-torrez-jr-drops-stops-brandon-moore-in-fifth-round/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=19 May 2024}}</ref>
Torrez was scheduled to face Joey Dawejko at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, AZ on September 20, 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Richard Torrez Jr vs Joey Dawejko new co-feature to Munguia-Bazinyan in Glendale |url=https://www.fightmag.com/richard-torrez-jr-vs-joey-dawejko-new-co-feature-to-munguia-bazinyan-in-glendale/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=12 September 2024}}</ref> He won the fight via fifth-round disqualification of his opponent, who lost his mouthpiece multiple times throughout the bout.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Songalia |first1=Ryan |title=Richard Torrez defeats Joey Dawejko by DQ, Emiliano Vargas remains unbeaten |url=https://www.ringtv.com/713171-richard-torrez-defeats-joey-dawejko-by-dq-emiliano-vargas-remains-unbeaten/ |work=The Ring |date=21 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Video: Richard Torrez Jr takes DQ win against Joey Dawejko |url=https://www.fightmag.com/video-richard-torrez-jr-takes-dq-win-against-joey-dawejko/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=21 September 2024}}</ref>
Torrez was scheduled to face Guido Vianello in Las Vegas on April 5, 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Richard Torrez Jr faces Guido Vianello in Las Vegas in April |url=https://www.fightmag.com/richard-torrez-jr-faces-guido-vianello-in-las-vegas-in-april/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=15 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Richard Torrez Jnr-Guido Vianello set for April 5 in Las Vegas |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/richard-torrez-jnr-guido-vianello-set-for-april-5-in-las-vegas--205286 |work=www.boxingscene.com |language=en}}</ref> Torrez Jr would win the fight by unanimous decision (98–91, 98–91, 97–92). Vianello was deducted a point for holding in the second round.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 5, 2025 |title=Richard Torrez beats Guido Vianello by unanimous decision in heavywight showdown in Las Vegas |url=https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/13343077/richard-torrez-beats-guido-vianello-by-unanimous-decision-in-heavywight-showdown-in-las-vegas |website=Sky Sports}}</ref> Due to the high volume of holding and the sporadic nature of the action, the fight was criticized by the boxing press as being "ugly," though Torrez's ability to pressure and land his right hook out of his southpaw stance was commended.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-06 |title=Richard Torrez Jr. Wins Ugly Decision Over Guido Vianello |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/boxing/richard-torrez-jr-wins-ugly-decision-over-guido-vianello |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=KO On SI |language=en-US}}</ref>
In his next bout, he stopped Tomáš Šálek in the first round at Arena Coliseo in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, on November 15, 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/richard-torrez-jnr-resumes-ko-ways-sort-of-halting-tomas-salek-in-one|title=Richard Torrez Jnr resumes KO ways (sort of), halting Tomas Salek in one|publisher=Boxing Scene|accessdate=24 May 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://talksport.com/boxing/3739939/richard-torrez-us-heavyweight-break-nose-ko/|title=Undefeated American heavyweight prospect breaks rival's nose in brutal first-round KO|publisher=Talksport|accessdate=24 May 2026}}</ref>
Torrez suffered the first defeat of his professional career when he was knocked out 55 seconds into the second round of his fight with Frank Sánchez at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on May 23, 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/frank-sanchez-calls-out-oleksandr-usyk-after-blitzing-richard-torrez|title=Frank Sanchez calls out Oleksandr Usyk after blitzing Richard Torrez|publisher=Boxing Scene|accessdate=24 May 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingnews24.com/2026/05/frank-sanchez-knocks-out-richard-torrez-jr-in-two/|title=Frank Sanchez Knocks Out Richard Torrez Jr In Two Rounds|publisher=Boxing News 24|accessdate=24 May 2026}}</ref>
==Personal life== Torrez Jr. represents the third generation of a boxing family from San Joaquin Valley, California. His great-grandfather, Juan Torrez, emigrated from Fresnillo, Mexico in 1920. His grandfather Manuel Torrez, was a southwest (USA) Golden Gloves champion and his father and coach Richard Torrez Sr. reached the quarterfinals in the U.S. Trials for the 1984 Olympics.<ref>{{cite web |date=5 October 2021 |title=Richard Torrez Jr.: USA's golden hope among the giants |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/richard-torrez-jr-usa-s-golden-hope-among-the-giants |access-date=28 August 2022 |website=olympics.com |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Sun |first1=Daniel Gligich Daniel Gligich is a reporter for The San Joaquin Valley |last2=Athletics |first2=focusing on Fresno State |date=June 16, 2021 |title=Olympic glory for Richard Torrez Jr. is three-generation journey from a Tulare boxing club |url=https://sjvsun.com/sports/richard-torrez-jr-fought-his-way-from-tulare-to-tokyos-olympics-now-hes-got-bigger-plans/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=US Olympic Trials - Fort Worth - June 6-10 1984 |url=http://amateur-boxing.strefa.pl/Tournaments/Nat_Sel_USA1984.html}}</ref>
In his spare time, Torrez Jr. enjoys building rockets with his friends from high school.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-11 |title=I have a 100% KO record as a boxer but in my spare time I build rockets and do ballet |url=https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/1529339/heavyweight-prospect-100-percent-ko-build-rockets-ballet/ |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=talkSPORT |language=en-gb}}</ref>
==Professional boxing record== {{BoxingRecordSummary |draws= |nc= |ko-wins=12 |ko-losses=1 |dec-wins=1 |dec-losses= |dq-wins=1 |dq-losses= }} {|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- !{{abbr|No.|Number}} !Result !Record !Opponent !Type !Round, time !Date !Location !Notes |- |15 |{{no2}}Loss |14–1 |style="text-align:left;"|Frank Sánchez |KO |2 (12), {{small|0:55}} |May 23, 2026 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Pyramids of Giza, Giza, Egypt}} |- |14 |{{yes2}}Win |14–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Tomáš Šálek |TKO |1 (10), {{small|2:45}} |Nov 15, 2025 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Arena Coliseo, San Luis Potosí, Mexico}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBC-NABF, and WBO-NABO heavyweight titles}} |- |13 |{{yes2}}Win |13–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Guido Vianello |{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}} |10 |Apr 5, 2025 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada U.S.}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant IBF North American, WBC-NABF, and WBO-NABO heavyweight titles}} |- |12 |{{yes2}}Win |12–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Issac Munoz Gutierrez |TKO |3 (8), {{small|0:59}} |Dec 7, 2024 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBC-NABF Junior heavyweight title}} |- |11 |{{yes2}}Win |11–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Joey Dawejko |{{abbr|DQ|Disqualification}} |5 (8), {{small|2:02}} |Sep 20, 2024 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona, U.S.}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBC-NABF Junior heavyweight title;<br/>Dawejko disqualified for excessive loss of mouthpiece}} |- |10 |{{yes2}}Win |10–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Brandon Moore |TKO |5 (8), {{small|1:39}} |May 18, 2024 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Pechanga Arena, San Diego, California, U.S.}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant WBC-NABF Junior heavyweight title}} |- |9 |{{yes2}}Win |9–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Donald Haynesworth |TKO |1 (8), {{small|2:19}} |Mar 29, 2024 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona, U.S.}} | |- |8 |{{yes2}}Win |8–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Curtis Harper |{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}} |8 (8), {{small|2:03}} |Dec 9, 2023 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Charles F. Dodge City Center, Pembroke Pines, Florida, U.S.}} | |- |7 |{{yes2}}Win |7–0 |align=left|Tyrrell Anthony Herndon |KO |2 (6), {{small|1:26}} |Oct 14, 2023 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small| Fort Bend EpiCenter, Rosenberg, Texas, U.S.}} | |- |6 |{{yes2}}Win |6–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Willie Jake Jr |KO |1 (6), {{small|1:22}} |Aug 12, 2023 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small| Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona, U.S.}} | |- |5 |{{yes2}}Win |5–0 |style="text-align:left;"|James Bryant |{{abbr|RTD|Corner retirement}} |1 (6), {{small|3:00}} |Feb 3, 2023 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona, U.S.}} | |- |4 |{{yes2}}Win |4–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Ahmed Hefny |KO |3 (6), {{small|2:36}} |Oct 29, 2022 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}} | |- |3 |{{yes2}}Win |3–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Marco Antonio Canedo |KO |1 (6), {{small|0:44}} |Aug 27, 2022 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.}} | |- |2 |{{yes2}}Win |2–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Roberto Zavala Jr |KO |1 (6), {{small|0:58}} |Jul 15, 2022 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.}} | |- |1 |{{yes2}}Win |1–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Allen Melson |{{abbr|KO|Knockout}} |2 (6), {{small|1:23}} |Mar 4, 2022 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Save Mart Center, Fresno, California, U.S.}} | |}
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{BoxRec|861066|Richard Torrez Jr.}} * [https://www.usaboxing.org/profiles/richard-torrez-jr.- Richard Torrez Jr.] at USA Boxing * {{Team USA|new_id=richard-torrez-jr|name=Richard Torrez Jr.|old_id=Richard-Torrez-Jr|sport=usa-boxing|archive=20230607183228}} * {{Olympics.com|richard-torrez-jr|Richard Torrez Jr.}} * {{Olympedia|name=Richard Torrez}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Torrez, Richard}} Category:1999 births Category:Living people Category:Boxers at the 2019 Pan American Games Category:Medalists at the 2019 Pan American Games Category:Pan American Games bronze medalists for the United States in boxing Category:American male boxers Category:American people of Mexican descent Category:Sportspeople of Mexican descent Category:Boxers at the 2020 Summer Olympics Category:Medalists at the 2020 Summer Olympics Category:Olympic silver medalists for the United States in boxing Category:Olympic boxers for the United States Category:Boxers from California Category:21st-century American sportsmen