Kenbun Torres (TMK), ranked No. 10 by the WBA in the super flyweight division with a record of 15 wins (10 KOs) and 5 losses, is set to challenge WBA Interim World Super Flyweight Champion David Jimenez (Costa Rica, 17 wins [11 KOs], 1 loss) for the title. The bout is scheduled to take place on July 20 (plus 3 hours Japan time) at the Bishkek Arena in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Torres, 37, is the son of former WBC Light Flyweight World Champion Germán Torres (Mexico → Kyoei Boxing Gym). As a child, he showcased impressive shadowboxing skills at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and was considered a promising talent. However, his career took a detour after serving two prison terms totaling 11 years for crimes including a taxi robbery.
Despite this troubled past, Torres made a stunning comeback on May 10 last year by scoring a major upset victory over then-WBO No. 1 ranked bantamweight Reymart Gaballo (Philippines, 29 wins [24 KOs], 2 losses) with a first-round TKO at 2 minutes 33 seconds, held at the Midas Hotel & Casino in Pasay City, Philippines. This win catapulted him into the world rankings.
After his victory over Gaballo, Torres parted ways with Taiho Gym—despite the strong desire of Taiho Gym chairman Kenbun Taiho, who had supported his comeback, to “see Kenbun fight in a Japanese ring once more.” Torres then joined TMK Gym, and on August 24 of last year, he returned to a Japanese ring for the first time in approximately 7 years and 8 months, defeating then-WBO No. 1 ranked super flyweight contender KJ Cataraja (Philippines, 17 wins [13 KOs], 1 loss) via split decision at the Yamato Arena in Osaka.
Having defeated world No. 1 contenders in two consecutive fights, Torres made headlines. However, the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) announced on May 20 that Torres had tested positive for the banned diuretic torasemide in a doping test conducted on November 18 last year as part of the WBC Clean Boxing Program. As a result, his license was suspended for six months until June 20, 2025.
David Jimenez, 33, captured the WBA Interim World Super Flyweight Title on April 20 of last year (April 21 Japan time) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, by defeating then—and still—No. 1 ranked John Ramirez (USA, 14 wins [9 KOs], 1 loss) via a 12-round decision.
He successfully made his first title defense on March 7 (March 8 Japan time) at the Polideportivo de Cartago in Cartago, Costa Rica, scoring a unanimous decision victory over No. 13 ranked contender Keevin Lara (Nicaragua, 32 wins [12 KOs], 7 losses, 1 draw) after 12 rounds.
Kenbun Torres, who has spent a total of 11 years in prison over two separate sentences, now faces a crucial test. This fight will likely determine whether his time behind bars served to elevate him as a person—or if it simply became a long gap in his boxing career.
This article has been translated and published with permission from BOXING MASTER.
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