Heavyweight prospect Richard Torrez Jr. said he’s trying not to pay too much attention to his knockout streak ahead of Friday’s clash with tough Philadelphian Joey Dawejko.
Torrez is 10-0 (10 KOs) and the 25-year-old from California has already stopped Donald Haynesworth in one round and Brandon Moore in five in 2024.
Dawejko is 28-11-4 (16 KOs).
It’s hard to say I haven’t recognized [the knockout streak], but it’s not something I search for,” said Torrez. “Growing up in the amateurs and pros now, I noticed that the more you look for it, the less likely it is to come.”
Asked how Friday – in Glendale, Arizona, as part of the bill topped by Jaime Munguia and Erik Bazinyan – might go, Torrez added: “I think fireworks happen. I’m really excited for Friday night because I think he’s going to come to fight. He’s ready to show out for the crowd and likewise for me. I think it’s going to be a really cool battle. I don’t think we’re going to take steps back too much. I’m excited to put on a show for Arizona.”
Dawejko, who earlier this week told BoxingScene he’s fighting to give his family a better future, said: “It feels great. It’s amazing. I fought on Top Rank cards a few times. I’m happy to be back now, especially since I’ve been training and doing what I’m supposed to do. He’s a great prospect, silver medalist in the Olympics. I think it’s the right time in both of our careers for this fight. Obviously, they called me to test this guy. Taking this fight was easy for me because I’ve been in there with everybody and am used to fighting different styles. I’m ready to show him how the pros work. I’ve focused on training this whole camp. My roofing business took a back seat so I could focus on what I have to.”
Also on the Desert Diamond Casino bill, 11-0 lightweight contender Emiliano Vargas meets 13-6-1 (5 KOs) Albany, New York-based Irishman Larry Fryers in an eight-rounder.
“I know Larry Fryer is coming to fight. He’s a fighter,” said Vargas. “He’s fighting for his dreams as well, the same way I am. Come Friday, I’m looking to put on a show.
“I’ve had some of my best performances here in Glendale, Arizona. I’m looking to continue to do the same thing and show the world that ‘El General’ is here to stay. Every fighter brings out a different side to me.
“He’s a hard-hitting fighter. He comes forward. He’s strong. He’s an Irish fighter. They come forward like Mexicans. So, he’s going to give his all, I’m going to give my all… When you step in the ring, at the end of the day, it’s going to show if you did your miles, if you did your sparring. Everything shows at the end of the day. I may look like a pretty face, but I’m a fighter.”
Fryers admitted Vargas was a “special talent” but added: “My job is to see if he is the real deal. Look, I’m here, determined, and ready to, unfortunately, wreck his dreams to make mine possible. That’s what is going to happen on Friday night. Emiliano, he’s got talent, he’s got skill. He’s got everything he needs to get to the top. But he’s never had someone like me face him. Come Friday night, I’m going to bring him into deep waters. We’re going to see if he can swim or not. He’s a fighter in his own right. Like I’m hoping, on Friday night, me and him are going to do a blood-and-guts war, and we’re going to bring out the best in each other.”
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