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

[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.
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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'}
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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.

[Bill Paxtom]

Monday ~ March 17, 1969

The Forum ~ Inglewood, California

Attendance ........ 8495
Gate Receipts .... $44,772

"Miguel Herrera Upsets 'Flash Torres By Split-Decision"

Felipe ' The Flash' Torres was upset by a 10-Round Split-Decision to Ecuadorian
Miguel Herrera.

Felipe {131 lbs.} one of the hottest fighters out of east Los Angeles and
World Rated at #9 at Junior-Lightweight got off to a slow start during the
early going.

Miguel Herrera {129 1/2 lbs.} was the stronger fighter over the first 3-Rounds,
as he used a thudding left-hook to the body that bothered Felipe.

The 27 year-old Ecuadorian showed both strength and power, as Felipe was
forced to retreat.

Felipe got his left-hand going in Round 4, as he thwarted Herrera's hard
body attack with a steady flow of sharp left jabs to the head.

But the Ecuadorian was right back to working hard in Rounds 5 and 6, and
pounded Felipe's body with hooks.

Badly behind on points entering the 7th Round, Felipe opened up with a
two-fisted attack as Miguel Herrera slowed down some.

Felipe kept up the high work-rate in Rounds 8 and 9, and shook Herrera
with several solid straight right-hands to the head in each session.

In the Final Round, both fighters looked tired, and both spent the Round
by staying inside and in close quarters at Center-Ring. Both fighters
exchanged non-stop with numerous, but light body blows.

Scorecards
* Referee ........ 5-4 {Miguel Herrera}
* Judge .......... 5-4 {Felipe Torres}
* Judge .......... 4-3 {Miguel Herrera}

Immediately after the bout, Hal Benson of the Monarch Boxing Club talked
to Gil Clancy {Manager of Miguel Herrera} and signed the Ecuadorian to a
fight contract.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ May 10, 1969

Arena Coliseo ~ Mexico City, Mexico

"Main Event"

'Junior-Lightweight Bout'

Felipe Torres ~ 18-4-1 {7 KO's} ~ 132 lbs. ~ {Age; 19 years, 11 months}
vs.
Ray Vega ~ 31-5-1 {19 KO's} ~ 131 lbs. ~ {Age; 25 years, 3 months}

Felipe Torres, ranked as the #9 WBA Junior-Lightweight, and as Ring Magazine's
#7 Featherweight is brought in to tangle with Ray Vega, a tough 5' 5 1/2" Mexican
Junior-Lightweight from Mexico City.

Ray Vega is a stable-mate of former World Featherweight Champion ~ Sugar Ramos.

Ray Vega has gone 19-1-0 with {12 KO's} over the past 2 1/2 years {since September 1966},
and is now rated as the #1 Mexican Junior-Lightweight.

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"The Bout"

"Felipe Torres Scores Solid Decision Win Over Ray Vega In Mexico City"

Los Angeles- Felipe Torres scored a solid 10-Round Decision over tough Mexican
Ray Vega at the Arena Coliseo in Mexico City.

Felipe {132 lbs.} used fast footwork and quick combinations to score repeatedly
in each Round.

Ray Vega {131 lbs.} who had a big local Mexico City following, came in with a
reputation as a tough inside fighter. But Ray but could not break through Felipe's
tough defense, and instead walked into constant flurries.

Felipe landed numerous left-jabs into Vega's face throughout the first-half of the
bout.

Felipe was the clear-cut winner in 5 of the first 6 Rounds, and also jolted Ray
several times with counter right-hands to the head.

Starting off in Round 7, Felipe was boxing smoothly, and smartly cruised during
Rounds 7, 8 and 9.

In the 10th and Final Round, Felipe opened up and poured it on. He drove Vega
all over the Ring with right-hand crosses and rocked him several times. With
5-Seconds left in the bout, Felipe landed a big looping right-hand to the Vega's
jaw and dropped him.

Felipe was awarded a Unanimous 10-Round Decision.

The Arena Coliseo fans threw coins in the Ring after the bout, as appreciation
for Felipe's fine performance.

Felipe Torres improved to 19-4-1.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ September 13, 1969

Arena Mexico ~ Mexico City, Mexico

Felipe Torres ~ 19-4-1 {7 KO's} ~ 130 lbs. ~ {Age; 20 years, 3 months}
vs.
Ricardo Arredondo ~ 41-3-0 {28 KO's} ~ 128 lbs. ~ {Age; 20 years, 3 months}


Felipe Torres, now the #10 WBA Lightweight and Ring Magazines #7 Junior-Lightweight
takes on exciting Mexican 'slugger' Ricardo Arredondo.

Ricardo had been campaigning as a Bantamweight thru early-1969, and was ranked
as the #7 Bantamweight by Ring Magazine.

But the growing Mexican was now moving up to the Super-Featherweight Division.

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

'The Bout'

Ricardo Arredondo has the edge in height {5' 7"} to Felipe's {5' 5"}, but both
are equal in strength.

Felipe is cautious early as Ricardo presses hard with winging hooks to both the
head and body.

By the end of Round 2, it is clear that Ricardo is the harder hitter, as he slammed
his way inside.

But in Round 3, Felipe tags Ricardo with a big right-hand to the head and wobbles
him with a follow up 'right-left' to the chin.

The action is non-stop in Rounds 4, 5 and 6 - as both fighters trade with heavy
blows. Felipe does get through a few times with solid right-hands, and shakes
Ricardo several times.

But Ricardo rallies, and he gets the better of the exchanges in Rounds 7 and 8,
as Felipe is starting to fade from the fast pace of Ricardo.

The last 2-Rounds are fought evenly, as both trade left-jabs and counter rights.

Ricardo Arredondo is awarded a close but 'disputed' Unanimous Decision.

* Referee - Ramon Berumen ....... 96-95 {Ricardo Arredondo}
* Judge - Luis Ramirez ............... 96-94 {Ricardo Arredondo}
* Judge - Victor Alfonso .............. 96-95 {Ricardo Arredondo}