Aaron Torres interview

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He is considered one of the most successful amateur fighters to come out of Philly. He has fought on the big stage participating in season 2 of ESPN's The Contender series. Now, Aaron Torres has returned home after a long stretch of fighting on the road and is ready to make a run in 2008. While the sport of boxing has given him some level of fame and fortune, he feels that his accomplishments are overlooked. Though he isn't feeling the love, he insists there is still more work to be done before he calls it a career. He took the time during the busy holiday season to talk about who he is, where he is from and the many accomplishments and goals he has set for his career.

PK: Aaron, congrats on your recent in Delaware last week. Tell us a little about that fight and how you plan on following this up in 2008?

AT: Thanks, don’t let my opponents record fool you, he just fought a guy 22 – 4 and ko’d him so I knew not to take him lightly. I am back to kicking ass again. I have a few things on the table right now that are still being negotiated but are strong possibilities. One of those is a rematch with Freddy Curial on February 3rd in Arizona. This would be an 8- 10 rounder and I really look forward to this fight. I was robbed in our first fight, even Teddy Atlas who called the fight told me I was robbed. Everyone besides the judges thought I won. That’s the bullshit part of this sport that I can’t accept. There is also a possibility of going overseas to fight in Denmark which could turn out to be a really nice payday. We will see what happens but I will be back in the ring soon.

PK: Those sound like good opportunities on the table. What are you looking to accomplish in the long term?

AT: I think a couple more wins and I can be right in the running for a title shot. I don’t care which one it is, I will fight for any title. I want to prove that I am up there with the best in the world. I want to fight the best and beat the best, right now I am being smart about who I fight. When there is such little money on the table, why take serious risks? I caught some bad breaks when I was on The Contender but this is boxing and it happens. I can’t look back, I need to look forward. I am just trying to stay humble; I think I paid my dues and think I deserve to make money now after all I have put into it.

PK: Speaking of The Contender where you fought on the 2nd series, you lost a controversial split decision to Gary Balletto. Since ESPN chops up The Contender fights and only shows parts of it, tell us in your words how it went down?

AT: Baletto, man I crushed him in that fight, murdered him. He was never the same after we fought. This was another robbery, they wanted Balletto to win. Don’t get me wrong, we was a good puncher but not on my level of talent. They plain old robbed me. I begged for that rematch on The Contender finale and he didn’t want any part of it. I still want it but he is retired now. I can’t go pulling someone out of the house to fight.

PK: So for the fans who haven’t had the chance to see an uncut Aaron Torres fight, how would you describe your style in the ring?

AT: I’m a boxer, pure and simple. A boxer – mover type of fighter. The guy I just fought, I boxed his head off. He came out southpaw and I picked him apart. I would say boxing and moving is my game, I’m not a huge puncher. Not to say that I can’t knock someone because I can but it usually doesn’t come with one punch. I almost had Balletto out in the 4th round but I slipped. Hey what can you do, this is boxing.

PK: Where are you from originally?

AT: I am from North Philly through and through, born and raised. Lately I have been training some in Delaware but mostly in Philly. If the situation is right I would consider moving to Delaware. I don’t feel like I’m loved Philly even after all that I accomplished. I love my city don’t get me wrong, but there are so many fighters there and it is so clogged up, sometimes I think to myself “what about Aaron?” but I gotta stay focused and do what is best. I think if I went to Delaware they would love me and I would be a star.

PK: How did you get into the sport of boxing?

AT: I was troubled as a kid, I got into a lot of fights in grade school. I was really hyperactive, so my dad got me into a gym as a way let out my energy. Started when I was about 12, they said I was really good so I stayed with it. I went on to have a great amateur career. I fought the best and beat the best. Won numerous tournaments and took the Bronze metal in the 1999 Pan Am games. I caught a tough break when I moved up to 132 lbs. I ran thru eastern finals, but lost to a guy I beat twice before 13 – 9 on that crazy point system where it is like Nintendo where they play with your life. I cried and couldn’t believe that I didn’t get to the decision.

PK: As many people know, you were selected out of thousands of boxers to be on ESPN's The Contender series. Looking back, do you think being on the show was helpful to your career or did it turn out to be not worth it?

AT: It was definitely a life changing experience. I did take two loses there even though I thought I won both fights convincingly. If you beat me fair, fine I will be the first to say that you beat me but when they take it away from you especially on national TV, it hurts. I feel like I could have made just as good a comeback on my own but it did give me a boost, now everywhere I go I am Aaron Torres from The Contender. .

PK: Most recently you have returned to our area and have put together a few wins in a row. Is there anyone in particular you would like to fight in the near future?

AT: You have to be smart in this game. I am willing to fight a solid opponent but why take a risk if there is no money involved? I can't take a chance like that for $5,000 or $10,000 with all the money that is out there to be made in this business. Paulie Malignaggi is a guy who I think I would have no problem with. I beat him in the amatures, he is cocky as hell but not that good. He talks a lot of talk but can’t crack an egg. Don't get me wrong, he is a good fighter but not that good. He has a nice jab & flashy but if you put some pressure on him, he will fold. I'm not calling him out or anything like that but hey, if he wants to avenge a loss I'm right here! Another guy I would like to fight is Mike Stewart maybe in the spring. To me he is a shot fighter and I would win that easily.

PK: What would be the most confortable weight for you to fight at?

AT: In my last fight I weight in at 149 only because my opponent couldn’t get any lower. I am campaigning at 140 but I will probably fight around 145 – 147 mark. If the situation and money is right I will go all the way down to lightweight. Not too long ago there was some talk about me fighting the lightweight champ David Diaz.

PK: So where do you think you stand right now in the boxing game?

AT: Right now I ask myself why I am not mentioned with these names I see out there. I deserve recognition after all I have accomplished. I can't do it on my own anymore. I need a good team behind me. I have gotten this far and it was all me. I never had any real help besides a trainer. No neutritionst, no dietian, nothing, I have always been my own motivation.

PK: Is there anything you want to say to the people as we close it up?

AT: I just want to let everyone know that I'm not going away. For those of you who think I am going away, I am here to stay.



If you have any questions, comments or suggestions you can email Philly Keith at keith@phillykeith.com

Go to www.phillykeith.com for up to the minute info on the Philly boxing scene

Top 5 Philly knockouts in 2007

The best knockouts in Philly for the year 2007

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Joey Abell knocks Cornelius Ellis out of the ring twice @ The Legendary Blue Horizon - 02/09/07

"Minnesota Ice" almost incites a riot at The Blue by knocking his opponent out of the ring and into my lap not once but twice! I am still waiting on a thank you card from Ellis for saving his life by not letting him splat on the concrete floor. Watch the video here

Farah Ennis explodes on Derrick Buchanan @ The National Guard Armory - 08/03/07

Farah Ennis was like a stick of dynomite, jumping on Derrick Buchanan early in the fight and finishing the job with more than a minute to go in the first round. No 10 count was needed because Buchanan went down hard and stayed there for while.

"King" Gabriel Rosado stops Daniel Hicks in his tracks @ The National Guard Armory - 08/03/07

The King's Court was back in session and he bounced back strong from a defeat earlier in the year by knocking out a very determined foe in Daniel Hicks. Rosado scored a knockdown early with a body shot, then finished the job two rounds later with hard combinations upstairs leaving Hicks in no physical condition to continue.

Latif Mundy starches Roberto Fiorentino @ The New Alhambra 10/05/05

Roberto Fiorentino came to the New Alhambra with the rep of a real tough guy, going the distance with some knockout artists in his short time as a pro. His rep was ruined by one Latif Mundy overhand right which put this alledged steel chinned Mexican flat on his face and looking like he was ready to be outlined in chalk. This first round knockout came in his first fight after signing with Peltz Boxing Promotions.

Jones leaves Carrasquillo unable to continue after 2 @ The New Alhambra 07/20/07

Many thought this fight would be a real challenge for Mike Jones. Think again because in this fight it was all Jones all day long. A broken nose suffered by Carrasquillo in the 2nd round was more than enough reason to end things before the bell sounded to start round 3.

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If you have any questions, comments or suggestions you can email Philly Keith at keith@phillykeith.com

Go to http://www.phillykeith.com/ for up to the minute info on the Philly boxing scene

The top 5 Philly fights of 2007

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The top 5 Philly fights of 2007

Feel free to send your thought on the best fights of 2007, email keith@phillykeith.com

Lenny DiVictoria TKO 6 over Elad Schmouel @ The Legendary Blue Horizon 12/07/07

This fight had it all. Young prospect against grizzled veteran, an early knockdown and a late surge to cause a knockout victory. There were a lot of great moments in this two way thriller but after withstanding an early assault from the young Israeli solder, North Philly's "El Diablo" Lenny DiVictoria dug deep and eventually scored an amazing 6th round TKO in this scheduled 8 round main event. Fittingly, this was the last final fight Philly would see in 2007

Tyric "Too Sweet" Robinson wins by UD over Chris Fernandez @The Legendary Blue Horizon 11/02/07

On this November night, it was Tyric Robinson's first chance at headlining a Power Productions card and man did he make the most of this opportunity. Tyric always had the talent but was a bit inconsistent with his performance. This was his biggest challenge to date as they brought in Chris Fernandez from Utah to oppose Too Sweet and this fight did not disappoint. Fernandez was riding an 8 fight winning streak and Too Sweet wanted to stamp his name as one of the areas top prospects. Tyric was dominating early with his two, three and four punch combos and even scored a fourth round knockdown but Fernandez made it interesting down the stretch by hanging tough and dishing out just a little bit more each round. Both men stood on the inside pounding away at each other's ribs and head in an attempt to put their opponent away. It was close as it came to a close but a final rally by Too Sweet put the wraps on a hard fought win much to the deliught of his supporters in attendance.

Bronco McKart by SD over Enrique Ornales to win the NABF Middleweight title @ The New Alhambra 08/10/07

The stakes are always high when you are in the main event at The New Alhambra and on this night, two seasoned veterans turned in an outstanding performance for the rite to be called NABF Middleweight Champion. Bronco was in the lead early, Ornales rallied back in the middle rounds and it was take your pick down the stretch of this 12 round classic. A 3rd round knockdown scored by McKart seemed to be the difference maker in the fight as all 3 judges scored it 114- 113, twice for McKart and once for Ornales.

Mike "Machine Gun" Jones TKO 3 over Israel "Pito" Cardona @The New Alhambra 11/09/07

A star was born on this night at The New Alhambra as Mike Jones capped off a huge year with a marvelous knockout victory over former world title contender Pito Cardona in round 3 of their scheduled 10 rounder. Jones, who was relatively untested coming into this fight withstood a strong second round attack by Cardona only to knock his foe out in the following round with a two fisted barrage of punches. This knockout sparked off one of the biggest celebrations in recent memory at the fabled bingo hall on the corner of Swanson & Ritner in South Philly and generated talk of Jones as one of the top Welterweight prospects in the country.

Joe Christy wins by split decision over Clarence "Sonny Bono" Taylor @ The New Alhambra 08/24/07

The stakes weren't all that high, but when Joe Christy and Sonny Bono step into the ring, you usually get your money's worth. This fight came as advertised meaning it was just a good old fashioned fight with two fighters who just wouldn't give in. They fought twice before this night with each men getting a win but in this night Joe Christy would not be denied as he would take Bono's best shots to land two or three of his own. In the end, the judges were split and the crowd was on their feet as Joe Christy won the trilogy against his arch nemesis Sonny Bono.

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If you have any questions, comments or suggestions you can email Philly Keith at keith@phillykeith.com

Go to http://www.phillykeith.com/ for up to the minute info on the Philly boxing scene