Aaron Torres interview

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He is considered one of the most successful amateur fighters to come out of Philly. He has fought on the big stage participating in season 2 of ESPN's The Contender series. Now, Aaron Torres has returned home after a long stretch of fighting on the road and is ready to make a run in 2008. While the sport of boxing has given him some level of fame and fortune, he feels that his accomplishments are overlooked. Though he isn't feeling the love, he insists there is still more work to be done before he calls it a career. He took the time during the busy holiday season to talk about who he is, where he is from and the many accomplishments and goals he has set for his career.

PK: Aaron, congrats on your recent in Delaware last week. Tell us a little about that fight and how you plan on following this up in 2008?

AT: Thanks, don’t let my opponents record fool you, he just fought a guy 22 – 4 and ko’d him so I knew not to take him lightly. I am back to kicking ass again. I have a few things on the table right now that are still being negotiated but are strong possibilities. One of those is a rematch with Freddy Curial on February 3rd in Arizona. This would be an 8- 10 rounder and I really look forward to this fight. I was robbed in our first fight, even Teddy Atlas who called the fight told me I was robbed. Everyone besides the judges thought I won. That’s the bullshit part of this sport that I can’t accept. There is also a possibility of going overseas to fight in Denmark which could turn out to be a really nice payday. We will see what happens but I will be back in the ring soon.

PK: Those sound like good opportunities on the table. What are you looking to accomplish in the long term?

AT: I think a couple more wins and I can be right in the running for a title shot. I don’t care which one it is, I will fight for any title. I want to prove that I am up there with the best in the world. I want to fight the best and beat the best, right now I am being smart about who I fight. When there is such little money on the table, why take serious risks? I caught some bad breaks when I was on The Contender but this is boxing and it happens. I can’t look back, I need to look forward. I am just trying to stay humble; I think I paid my dues and think I deserve to make money now after all I have put into it.

PK: Speaking of The Contender where you fought on the 2nd series, you lost a controversial split decision to Gary Balletto. Since ESPN chops up The Contender fights and only shows parts of it, tell us in your words how it went down?

AT: Baletto, man I crushed him in that fight, murdered him. He was never the same after we fought. This was another robbery, they wanted Balletto to win. Don’t get me wrong, we was a good puncher but not on my level of talent. They plain old robbed me. I begged for that rematch on The Contender finale and he didn’t want any part of it. I still want it but he is retired now. I can’t go pulling someone out of the house to fight.

PK: So for the fans who haven’t had the chance to see an uncut Aaron Torres fight, how would you describe your style in the ring?

AT: I’m a boxer, pure and simple. A boxer – mover type of fighter. The guy I just fought, I boxed his head off. He came out southpaw and I picked him apart. I would say boxing and moving is my game, I’m not a huge puncher. Not to say that I can’t knock someone because I can but it usually doesn’t come with one punch. I almost had Balletto out in the 4th round but I slipped. Hey what can you do, this is boxing.

PK: Where are you from originally?

AT: I am from North Philly through and through, born and raised. Lately I have been training some in Delaware but mostly in Philly. If the situation is right I would consider moving to Delaware. I don’t feel like I’m loved Philly even after all that I accomplished. I love my city don’t get me wrong, but there are so many fighters there and it is so clogged up, sometimes I think to myself “what about Aaron?” but I gotta stay focused and do what is best. I think if I went to Delaware they would love me and I would be a star.

PK: How did you get into the sport of boxing?

AT: I was troubled as a kid, I got into a lot of fights in grade school. I was really hyperactive, so my dad got me into a gym as a way let out my energy. Started when I was about 12, they said I was really good so I stayed with it. I went on to have a great amateur career. I fought the best and beat the best. Won numerous tournaments and took the Bronze metal in the 1999 Pan Am games. I caught a tough break when I moved up to 132 lbs. I ran thru eastern finals, but lost to a guy I beat twice before 13 – 9 on that crazy point system where it is like Nintendo where they play with your life. I cried and couldn’t believe that I didn’t get to the decision.

PK: As many people know, you were selected out of thousands of boxers to be on ESPN's The Contender series. Looking back, do you think being on the show was helpful to your career or did it turn out to be not worth it?

AT: It was definitely a life changing experience. I did take two loses there even though I thought I won both fights convincingly. If you beat me fair, fine I will be the first to say that you beat me but when they take it away from you especially on national TV, it hurts. I feel like I could have made just as good a comeback on my own but it did give me a boost, now everywhere I go I am Aaron Torres from The Contender. .

PK: Most recently you have returned to our area and have put together a few wins in a row. Is there anyone in particular you would like to fight in the near future?

AT: You have to be smart in this game. I am willing to fight a solid opponent but why take a risk if there is no money involved? I can't take a chance like that for $5,000 or $10,000 with all the money that is out there to be made in this business. Paulie Malignaggi is a guy who I think I would have no problem with. I beat him in the amatures, he is cocky as hell but not that good. He talks a lot of talk but can’t crack an egg. Don't get me wrong, he is a good fighter but not that good. He has a nice jab & flashy but if you put some pressure on him, he will fold. I'm not calling him out or anything like that but hey, if he wants to avenge a loss I'm right here! Another guy I would like to fight is Mike Stewart maybe in the spring. To me he is a shot fighter and I would win that easily.

PK: What would be the most confortable weight for you to fight at?

AT: In my last fight I weight in at 149 only because my opponent couldn’t get any lower. I am campaigning at 140 but I will probably fight around 145 – 147 mark. If the situation and money is right I will go all the way down to lightweight. Not too long ago there was some talk about me fighting the lightweight champ David Diaz.

PK: So where do you think you stand right now in the boxing game?

AT: Right now I ask myself why I am not mentioned with these names I see out there. I deserve recognition after all I have accomplished. I can't do it on my own anymore. I need a good team behind me. I have gotten this far and it was all me. I never had any real help besides a trainer. No neutritionst, no dietian, nothing, I have always been my own motivation.

PK: Is there anything you want to say to the people as we close it up?

AT: I just want to let everyone know that I'm not going away. For those of you who think I am going away, I am here to stay.



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