Puerto Rico has produced more world champions per capita than any other region in the world. Joel Torres who calls Guyanbo, Puerto Rico home hopes to continue in this proud lineage. Torres is campaigning in the lightweight division and currently owns an unblemished record of 8-0 with 5 knockouts. Torres signed a three fight promotional deal with promoter Lou Dibella. Dibella also recently signed newly crowned welterweight champion and fellow “Boricua” Carlos "El Indio" Quintana.  The first commitment for Torres under the DBE banner will be this Wednesday, March 5th at the Grand Ballroom of the Manhattan Center, in New York City. Torres is excited to be back in the Big Apple and ready to stake his claim as one of the premier prospects in the sport.
 
“I’m glad to be fighting in New York; as everyone knows it’s the heart of the Puerto Rican community in the United States. I’m ready to go out there battle and put on a good show and continue to carry the flag (Puerto Rican) high,” Torres.
 
 
 “Joelo” as he is affectionately known in his native Puerto Rico last saw action on November 17th where, in front of a partisan hometown crowd, saw him stop Javier Perez in one round. According to manager Ricardo Figueroa, this is just a glimpse of a special fighter.
 
“He’s a tremendous talent and an even greater person. I’m happy to work with him and I’m even happier that he is able to get the opportunity to show how good he is. He is a future world champion and my goal is to bring more talent from Puerto Rico and continue in the tradition of helping produce world champions,” Figueroa.
 
Figueroa is not the only one who thinks highly of his 23 year old, prospect. Puerto Rican newspaper “Primera Hora” named Torres its prospect of the year in 2007. Torres has also been recognized by “El Vocero” and “El Nuevo Dia” newspaper as their top prospect in Puerto Rico as well. Torres however knows that he is still a ways to go from achieving his dream.
 
“It’s an honor to be recognized and given these awards, but I really owe it all to my management and my trainer there is a lot of unity in my team and we have a strong core, we are a true team in every sense of the word. This is a work in progress and I know that my career is in good hands and I will continue with the hard work on my end,” Torres.
 
Torres is scheduled to fight 8 rounds or less and it is all a part of a nine bout card, which has 7:00pm first bell time. For Torres it will be the second time fighting in front of a New York boxing audience. In April of 2007, Torres won via a 3rd round TKO, at the Paradise Theatre, in the Bronx.
 
“Fighting in New York the first time I was a little nervous when I was walking to the ring to be honest with you. But I started to see all these Puerto Rican flags waving and I did not know these people personally, but I know that my manager helped sell a lot tickets and when my name was announced, the people pumped me up unbelievably. I felt comfortable after the 1st round and it was strange because it just settled me down and I did not even notice, I felt like I was fighting back home. I can’t wait to get back in the ring, it was a special feeling the last time I was in New York and I’m ready to go out there and win,” Torres  

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