World Cup Boxing Series (WCBS) has finalized plans for a four-boxer mini-tournament in the lightweight division, presented by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions, with the semifinals on February 24th at Palenque De La Expo in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico. The semifinal match-ups will be: Luis “Koreano” Torres (14-0, 9 KOs) vs. Rodolfo “Rudy” Flores (14-5, 6 KOs) and Alberto “El Alacan” Ruiz (11-4, 8 KOs) vs. Isai “Gaga” Hernandez (11-2-2, 7 KOs). The finals are slated for June 2nd. Semifinal action will be contested in eight-round bouts, with ten rounds for the championship. The WCBS will also feature one “overtime” round, if needed, to declare a winner in the event of a draw upon the conclusion of the scheduled distance.
The WBC will sanction it as the “4-Man lightweight Tournament,” created by CEO Terry Hollan and matchmaker Guy Taylor. “We are extremely grateful for the WBC to sanction our upcoming tournament,’” Taylor said. “The semifinals will be held February 24th The World Boxing Council will crown the winner of the ‘4-Man Tournament’ [with a regional belt].”
WCBS will also be offering a “Fight of the Night” and “Knockout” bonuses to each contestant through the duration of its “4-Man Lightweight Tournament.”
The 20 year-old Torres is the favorite going into the tournament. The southpaw has cruised through his first 14 opponents since making his pro debut in 2017. His last fight was a ten-round decision over Guillermo Avila Godinez (19-11) this past December in Ciudad Obregon.
Flores, 26, has won two of his last three fights. His most notable wins have been by decision versus Jesus Acosta Zazueta (16-5-2) and Jairo Lopez (18-5).
Last August, Ruiz upset previously undefeated Jair Valtierra by way of a fifth-round knockout.
Hernandez has won five of his last six matches, excluding a “no-contest” in his last fight against 13-0-1 Francisco Lopez, in which Hernandez was holding his own until the fight was stopped due to an accidental headbutt.
“To have undefeated Luis Torres, Mexico’s top-rated lightweight prospect, and Alberto Ruiz, in this tournament should show everyone the quality fighters we are providing,” Taylor concluded. “Any man can be defeated on any given night and that’s the beauty of a tournament model.”
“The WBC hopes to be able to sanction more World Cup Boxing Series tournaments and create great regional champions to enter our world rankings and achieve their goals with the WBC,” WBC Latino President Alberto Guerra commented.
