Felipe 'The Flash' Torres ~ 'A Good West-Coast Kid'

[Bill Paxtom]

Monday ~ January 13, 1969

The Coliseum ~ San Diego, California

"Main Event"

'Over-the-Weight Featherweight Bout'

Bobby Valdez ~ 22-5-4 {8 KO's} ~ 128 lbs. ~ {Age; 26 years, 1 month}
vs.
Felipe Torres ~ 15-3-1 {5 KO's} ~ 128 lbs. ~ {Age; 19 years, 7 months}

San Diego's favorite son, Bobby Valdez takes on tough-kid Felipe Torres.

Bobby is a World-Rated Featherweight {#5 Ring Magazine / #7 WBC / #7 WBA}.

Bobby, a former Amateur Navy Champion in 1964 and 1965, turned professional
in June 1965. Bobby has been a 'Top-Rated' Featherweight since 1967.

In May 1968, Bobby reached a level of the #3 WBC-ranked Featherweight. And fought
Australian - Johnny Famechon for the 'vacant' World Featherweight Championship
on May 20, 1968.

Bobby fought well, but was 'Disqualified' in Round 13 for excessive 'head-butting'.

Bobby, won the California State Featherweight Champion on August 17, 1967 -
and is still the current Champion.

The {3 1/2} year Professional, is managed by Wes Wombold.

Felipe 'The Flash' Torres is getting some 'hot' attention as a tough kid on the rise
from East Los Angeles, and is coming off an impressive TKO 5 over 'highly-regarded'
Centavito Hernandez.

[Bill Paxtom]

Monday ~ January 13, 1969

Coliseum ~ San Diego, California

"Unrated Felipe Torres Scores Upset Over World-Rated Bobby Valdez'

Unheralded Felipe Torres of Los Angeles scores an impressive 6th-Round TKO over
local hero Bobby Valdez last night at the Coliseum.

Bobby Valdez had entered the Ring as the #5 World-Rated Featherweight and was
the heavy betting-favorite over Felipe Torres.

Both fighters came in at {128 lbs.}, which was an agreed upon weight by both
Managers. Bobby's California Featherweight Championship was 'not' at stake.

The action was 'even' and spirited during the first 4-Rounds, as both exchanged
medium left-hands, mixed in with an occasional combination.

In Round 5, the pace was the same again over the first half of the session. But,
during one exchange at the {1:45 Mark} Torres caught Bobby flush with a straight
right-hand to the chin dropping him to the canvas.

Bobby was up at the '4-Count', but looked shaken. Moments later, Felipe dropped
Bobby again with a solid 'left-right' to the chin.

This time, Bobby took the '8-Count' before rising. Bobby who was hurt badly, did
all he could to scamper away from the charging Flores. Bobby was rocked badly
again, and just managed to survive Round 5.

Coming out for Round 6, Bobby still looked badly shaken and had not fully recovered
from the previous Rounds pounding. Torres attacked quickly and slammed Bobby with
a series of 'lefts-and-rights' to the head.

Referee - Hal Rickards jumped in and called a halt to the bout @ 0:38 of Round 6.

[Bill Paxtom]

January 28, 1969

Valley News ~ Van Nuys, California

East Los Angles has a new Boxing-Hero. His name is Felipe Torres,
who goes by the nickname of 'The Flash'.

The 19 1/2 year-old 5' 5" tall Junior-Lightweight has emerged as one of the
better young boxers seen at the Main Street Gym in Los Angeles.

Felipe who is fast, is known for his 'Cat-Quick' elusive skills, and
has steadily improved his punching-power.

Felipe, with a record of 16-3-1 {6 KO's} is now ranked as the #10
WBC Super-Featherweight following a 'big upset' {TKO 6} win over
the #5 World-Ranked Featherweight - Bobby Valdez only 2-weeks ago.

[Bill Paxtom]

Tuesday - January 28, 1969

Valley Music Theatre - Woodland Hills, California

Promoters > 'Monarch Boxing Club'
Maximum Capacity .............. 3100
Maximum Gate Receipts ..... $13,500

Felipe Torres ~ 16-3-1 {6 KO's} ~ 134 1/4 lbs. ~ #10 WBA Junior-Lightweight
vs.
Jesse Corrales ~ 6-6-1 {0 KO's} ~ 133 lbs.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Originally, Heavyweights > Joey Orbillo and Joe Hemphill were scheduled
as the 'Main Event'.

But both Heavyweights pulled out.

Then popular Featherweight - Petey Gonzalez was brought in to be the 'Main Event'.

But Petey caught the 'flu' and pulled out.

At the last minute >
Promoter - Pete Kokon and Matchmaker - Hal Benson got in touch with Jack Shugrue
who furnished fighters to local Los Angles fight promoters.

Felipe Torres, who had fought only 2-Weeks earlier was available.

And as a 'last-minute' fill-in opponent, they found Jesse Corrales, a {20 1/2 year-old}
Lightweight based out of Phoenix, Arizona.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Attendance ........ 2045
Gate Receipts .... $9000

Felipe Torres had little trouble with 'last-minute' replacement Jesse Corrales.

Felipe 'dazzled' the crowd of 2045 at the Valley Music Theatre with lightning
combinations and fancy footwork during the 1st-Round.

Near the end of the session, Felipe 'split'' Corrales nose wide open with
a straight right-hand, and blood splattered both boxers.

In Round 2, Felipe unleashed his heavy right-hand, and shook up the Phoenix
Lightweight several times and had him reeling.

Felipe continued his fast 'two-fisted' attack, and opened up a cut over
Jesse's right-eye after slashing him with sharp right-hand just past the {1:20 Mark}.

Jesse Corrales was now defenseless.

Moments later, Referee - Dick Young called a halt to the bout @ 1:37 of Round 2.

"Torres 'Cuts Up' On Boxing Card"

Dangerous-punching Lightweight - Felipe Torres carves up substitute Jesse Corrales.

[Bill Paxtom]

March 4, 1969

Valley Music Theatre - Woodland Hills, California

Petey Gonzalez ~ 29-14-5 {8 KO's} ~ 132 1/4 lbs. ~ Age; 28 years, 1 month}
vs.
Felipe Torres ~ 17-3-1 {7 KO's} ~ 133 lbs. ~ {Age; 19 years, 8 months}

A 'highly' anticipated bout between two popular and highly-regarded 130 pounders.

Petey Gonzalez, is ranked as the #7 Junior-Lightweight by Ring Magazine, and as the
#8 WBA Featherweight.

Petey, a Professional since August 1964 is from Portland, Oregon - but is now based
out of San Diego.

Since May 7, 1968 > Petey has gone {8-1-3} in the last 10-Months, losing only to
Bobby Valdez by a close 12-Round Decision for the California State Featherweight
Championship back on December 16, 1968.

In Petey's last bout {January 16, 1969} - he scored an impressive win {TKO 6} over
undefeated {20-0-0} sensation Bobby Rodriguez.

Petey is listed as a {10-8} Betting-Favorite by the Van Nuys News.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Felipe 'The Flash' Torres is now rated as the #7 Featherweight by Ring Magazine and
the #10 WBA Featherweight.

Felipe is on a roll, and has gone 5-0-1 {4 KO's} in his last 6-bouts since August 1968.

[Bill Paxtom]

Tuesday - March 4, 1969

Valley Music Theatre - Woodland Hills, California

Attendance ............ 3000
Gate Receipts ....... $13,345

"Felipe Torres Upsets Petey Gonzalez Over 10-Rounds"

East Los Angeles' Felipe Torres exhibited fine boxing skills to edge out
Petey Gonzalez over 10-Rounds at the Valley Music Theatre last night.

Felipe found himself behind early, as 'The Spoiler' Petey Gonzalez {132 1/4 lbs.}
got off to his usual fast start by scoring with quick 'left-right' punches in Rounds
1 and 2, and then dancing away before Felipe could counter.

But Felipe {133 lbs.} took control in Rounds 3 and 4, and scored with lightning
fast combinations himself, to stall any early charges from Petey.

Petey came back with a charge in Round 5, and nailed Felipe with several
fast left-hands to take the session.

The action was 'even' during Rounds 6 and 7, as both boxers exhibited fine
left-jabs and quick footwork.

But, Felipe was the better one down the stretch, and took command in Round 8
when he shook up Petey with a right-hand to the head.

Felipe was the stronger fighter over the last 3-Rounds of the bout, en-route to
winning a 10-Round Majority Decision.

Scorecards
* Referee - Dick Young ...... 6-4 {Felipe Torres}
* Judge - Bob Dossey ........ 6-3 {Felipe Torres}
* Judge - Larry Rozadilla .... 4-4 {'Even'}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Both, George Parnassus of The Forum, and Mickey Davies of the Olympic Auditorium
are interested in bringing Felipe in for a Main Event.

George Parnassus >
"This young kid just loves to fight. He's as good as any young Junior-Lightweight
out there. He's fast and excites the crowd."

Mickey Davies >
"Felipe is a hot attraction right now. He's got the best footwork of any young
fighter in the West Coast."

[Bill Paxtom]

Monday ~ March 17, 1969

The Forum ~ Inglewood, California

Main Event > Ruben Olivares vs. Ernie De la Cruz

"Night Cap Junior-Lightweight Bout"

Felipe Torres ~ 18-3-1 {7 KO's} ~ Los Angeles, California
vs.
Miguel Herrera ~ 41-5-2 {25 KO's} ~ Macara, Ecuador
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Felipe Torres {Age; 19 years, 8 months} is fighting just 13-Days after defeating
Petey Gonzalez on March 4th.

Felipe is now ranked as the #9 Junior-Lightweight by Ring Magazine.

The Forum fight promoter - George Parnassus wanted Felipe on the Fight Card.

Miguel Herrera {Age; 27} is a 3-Day replacement fighter, who had been in
Los Angeles prepping for another bout.

Miguel is managed by Gil Clancy. Miguel is the Ecuadorian Featherweight Champion,
and has never been stopped in 48-Bouts.

'The Original Fight Poster'

Several changes took place.