08.06.07 – By Jaime Castro-Núñez: After an exhaustive, three-week nationwide hunt that included internet, phone calls, news reports, and mouth-to-mouth messages, WBO Light Welterweight champion Ricardo “Mochuelo” Torres appeared yesterday morning at Cuadrilátero gym in Barranquilla. “I’m here, don’t rush,” said an out-of-shape Torres to the many journalists that were waiting for him at the entrance of the gym..
Having a lot of fun in his tranquil pueblo of Magangué, in Northern Colombia, the champ was caught by the news of his missing. When asked about the reasons of his unexpected absence, he replied that he had troubles with the battery of his cell phone. “It’s not my fault, I’m not the one who makes them, but thanks God I fixed it,” jokingly commented the 27-year-old champion.
Next to Torres, at the Press Conference, his trainer Orlando Pineda gave him a sidelong glance, totally disbelieving the cell phone tale. Likewise, Torres’ manager, Billy Chams, was visibly upset. The day before, Wednesday, Mr. Chams had said to a journalist of El Univesal newspaper that “he [Torres] has to decide if he wants to quit boxing or what. I cannot be babysitting anybody at this point of my life. It’s always the same thing with him. The worst part is that he never says anything. He says ‘yes, I’ll start on Monday,’ but he doesn’t show up.”
At the end of the conference, Ricardo “Mochuelo” Torres asked: “What’s the problem?” Then, he himself answered: “We still have a lot of time. The most important thing is that I’m here ready to work out. We know that the rival is tough, but I’ll be ready and we’re gonna win again. I’m sorry, this won’t happen again and I’ll be training full time.” Ricardo Torres will face mandatory challenger Kendal Holt on August 4th at All State Arena in Chicago, Illinois.
I wish the best to both fighters, and I do not pretend to be prophetic, but if the loved-son of Magangué loses the belt, let’s blame it on the cell phone!