Richard Torrez Jr. Passes Toughest Test Yet; Mason, Delgado and Rising Stars Shine in Vegas

Richard Torrez Jr. showed the world he’s more than just power on Saturday night. The Olympic silver medalist passed his toughest professional test yet with a dominant unanimous decision win over fellow Olympian Guido Vianello at the Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms Casino Resort.

Torrez (13-0, 11 KOs) charged forward from the opening bell, bulldozing Vianello (13-3-1, 11 KOs) with relentless pressure and heavy hooks. Vianello responded with clinches, even earning a point deduction in round two for excessive holding.

Despite a few clean counters from the Italian, Torrez never lost control. He stunned Vianello in the ninth and closed the show strong in round ten, securing wide scores of 98-91 (twice) and 97-92.

“I was setting up my feints and body shots — once they landed, the hooks started flying,” Torrez said. “He’s an Olympian, I respect him. But Tulare, California came out tonight.”

Co-Feature Highlights:

Delgado Edges Elvis in Thriller

In a tightly contested battle of unbeaten junior welterweights, Lindolfo Delgado (23-0, 16 KOs) held off Elvis Rodriguez (17-2-1, 13 KOs) by majority decision (96-94 twice, 95-95). Delgado weathered a scary moment in round nine after a flush left hand sent him stumbling, but he rebounded to win the final round on all scorecards.

“He caught me, but I stayed composed,” said Delgado. “This was a WBC eliminator, and I want my shot at the title.”

Mason Celebrates 21st Birthday with Knockout and Two Titles

Abdullah Mason (18-0, 16 KOs) turned 21 in style, stopping Carlos Ornelas (28-5, 15 KOs) in six rounds to claim the NABF and NABO lightweight titles. Mason scored three knockdowns across the bout and proved far too sharp for the veteran.

“I was looking for the perfect shot, but I broke him down instead,” said Mason. “The ref did the right thing.”

Undercard Results:

Featherweight:

Albert “Chop Chop” Gonzalez (13-0, 7 KOs) def. Dana Coolwell (13-4, 8 KOs) — UD (80-72, 78-74, 77-75)

Gonzalez stayed consistent on the inside to edge the gritty Aussie.

Junior Bantamweight:

Steven Navarro (6-0, 5 KOs) TKO4 Juan Garcia (14-2-2, 11 KOs)

Navarro took a scare early in round four but rallied with a vicious barrage to earn the stoppage at 2:56.

Junior Middleweight:

Art Barrera Jr. (8-0, 6 KOs) TKO2 Daijohn Gonzalez (12-6, 6 KOs)

Barrera dropped Gonzalez twice in the second with a brutal left hook leading the charge.

Middleweight:

Jahi Tucker (14-1-1, 6 KOs) UD10 Troy Williamson (20-4-1, 14 KOs)

Tucker dropped Williamson in the eighth and dominated the cards: 99-89 x3.

Junior Lightweight:

DJ Zamora (16-0, 11 KOs) TKO4 Hugo Castañeda (15-2-1, 11 KOs)

Two knockdowns in the third set up the finish at 1:24 of round four.

Junior Welterweight (Pro Debut):

Sammy Contreras (1-0, 1 KO) TKO1 Robert Jimenez (2-3-1, 1 KO)

Contreras wasted no time, ending the bout at 2:16 of round one.