By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Robert Zavala Jr.’s latest pro fight will be more remembered for its controversial finish than for who won or lost.
The 34-year-old heavyweight from Del Rio lost via technical knockout Friday night to former Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs) less than a minute into the first round of their scheduled six-round fight at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, Ca.
The fight aired on ESPN’s Top Rank boxing.
Torres, 23, had the height advantage over Zavala (2-2-1, 2 KOs) and used his length to pepper the shorter Del Rio fighter from a distance. A hard right hook stunned Zavala, but the US Army veteran nicknamed “Heavy Artillery,” lumbered forward and kept challenging the former Olympian. After a pair of straight lefts forced Zavala backwards, Torrez moved in and threw a quick combination before following with a pair of quick jabs.
While Zavala seemed unfazed by the punches, referee Eddie Hernandez Sr. stepped in between the two fighters following Torrez’s jabs and waved his hands to stop the fight and hand Torrez the TKO win 58 seconds into round one.
Zavala looked at the referee and asked “Why?” before walking to his corner. As the crowd booed, one of the analysts watching the fight questioned why the fight was stopped so quickly while the other analyst could be heard saying, “Thank God.”
Reaction to the fight on social media was mixed. While most boxing observers credited Torrez with showing why he is expected to be a big name in the heavyweight division with his speed and accuracy, many others questioned why the fight was stopped so quickly when it appeared that Zavala wasn’t in any immediate danger. Questions were also asked about Zavala’s size in general, but most credited his toughness for taking a fight against the former Olympian.
Zavala’s coach, Salvador Pascacio, who oversees the No Quit Boxing Gym along with his wife Karina, expressed his displeasure with the decision on Facebook, writing, “I am in disbelief, I know that’s their Golden child, but dam (cq) !!! They didn’t let us Work!!! Keep your head up Fridge Zavala, the crowd said it all.”
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
