Finally, a breakthrough for Torres

Newly-crowned International Boxing Association (IBA) Continental bantamweight champion Vernie Torres is as cocky as his boyhood pal Manny Pacquiao and probably hits as hard. They’re alike in many other ways.

When they were growing up, Torres and Pacquiao dreamed the same dream of someday gaining fame and fortune in the ring. They left General Santos City, their adopted ‘hometown, together to seek their destiny in Manila. They’re both flamboyant, sometimes irresponsible, and fun-loving.

The difference is Pacquiao knows when to get serious and Torres doesn’t. Pacquiao works hard in the gym and is uncompromising in his work ethic. Torres cuts corners and often plays hooky.

It’s no wonder that Pacquiao went on to win the World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight title and later, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) superbantamweight crown. He’s in line to become the first Asian to capture world championships in three different weight divisions.

Torres, 28, hasn’t achieved the same level of success as his buddy. But with a sharper focus on girding for the future, he’s getting there.

Last Saturday, Torres stopped Colombian veteran Julio (Indio) Coronel in the 10th round to wrest the IBA Continental diadem at the Okalee Native Village in Florida. It was Torres’ first win over the 35-year-old Coronel in three outings.

Torres turned pro in 1996 and raced to a 13-0 record before bowing to Felix Marfa two years later. Then he flew to the US in 1999. San Francisco-based lawyer Sydney Hall brought Torres to Pensacola, Florida, where the southpaw trained under former US Olympic coach Alton Merkerson at lightheavyweight champion Roy Jones’ camp.

Because of his outgoing nature, Torres became a instant celebrity around town. Filipino migrants in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, New Orleans and Mississippi came in droves to watch Torres in action. He was like a folk hero. Driving a second-hand Mitsubishi pick-up truck he bought from his boxing purses, Torres stood for the poor Filipino trying to get ahead in life.

With Merkerson in his corner, Torres was tough to beat. He was quick, smart, and strong. It didn’t take long before Torres claimed the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Intercontinental junior bantamweight title, outpointing highly-touted Genaro Garcia of Mexico in 12 bruising rounds in Biloxi, Mississippi, in February 2000.

After halting Neddy (Little Guns) Garcia of Texas in the seventh round to retain his WBO title in New Haven, Connecticut, in April 2001, Torres returned home for a well-deserved furlough. He came with a gang of friends from Pensacola, partied, stayed out of the gym, and visited relatives and friends in General Santos City. When his money ran out, Torres went back to the US and quickly, booked a title defense. He was broke and needed cash.

With little time to prepare, Torres faced Coronel in Mississippi shortly after arriving from his extended home leave. As expected, Torres was in no condition to fight. He clowned around, trying to make it appear that Coronel wasn’t in his class. When Coronel’s punches started to sting, Torres accused the Colombian of thumbing his right eye. Referee Fred Steinwinder stopped it in the seventh round when Torres refused to continue fighting.

Worse, Torres’ purse was reduced from $6,000 to $2,900 to penalize him for his lackluster showing. Hall said Torres wasn’t himself and described the unexpected setback a fluke. It was only Torres’ second loss in 11 outings since transplanting to the US.

In a rematch five months later in Miami, Torres was just as atrocious. He repeatedly hit below the belt and butted Coronel. Referee Jorge Alonso slapped a pair of point deductions on Torres for foul tactics and finally, disqualified him at 1:13 of the 12th round.

Coronel later challenged WBC bantamweight champion Veerapol Sahaprom in Thailand and lost on points.

Torres, meanwhile, promised to get straight. Luckily, Jones didn’t give up on the Filipino and matched him against unheralded Julio Cesar Oyuela of Honduras in a sixer in Portland last September. Fighting in a six-rounder was a demotion for Torres but the humiliation was the price he had to pay for straying out of focus.

Torres didn’t disappoint Jones as he carved out an easy unanimous decision over Oyuela whose record fell to 3-7. The scorecards weren’t close–60-55 twice and 58-56.

Last November, Torres was back in action against Sandro Orlando Oviedo in Miami. Once more, disaster struck as Torres was disqualified in the second round for punching Oviedo while down on one knee. Referee James Warring, a former IBF cruiserweight titlist, didn’t give Torres a chance. Oviedo wouldn’t have survived the distance and was saved from a sure knockout defeat.

The loss didn’t diminish Jones’ faith in Torres. And a third meeting with Coronel was set. This time, Torres made sure of the outcome.

Ringsiders described the bout a war as the archrivals slugged it out furiously from the start. Coronel was relentless and took the fight to Torres. In the eighth round, Torres leaned against the ropes and did the classic Ali "rope-a-dope," much to his corner’s displeasure. Apparently, the trick worked as Coronel punched himself out. In the 10th, an exhausted Coronel brought down his guard and Torres landed a vicious left to the chin. Coronel fell to the canvas, twisting his ankle in the process. He beat the 10-count but was ruled unfit to continue.

The win raised Torres’ record to 24-5, with 14 knockouts, and should bring him back into the top 10 ratings. He was once ranked No. 8 by the WBC and IBF.

How far Torres will go in his quest for stardom depends largely on him. He’s got the tools, heart, and punch to duplicate Pacquiao’s feat. His vengeful victory over Coronel is proof that if he sets his mind to it, there’s no limit to what he can do in the ring.