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Josh Torres walks to a neutral corner after knocking out Mexico’s Francisco Castro during a March 2019 fight. Torres returns to action on a Saturday boxing pro-am card in Mescalero. (Roberto E. Rosales/Journal)The COVID-19 pandemic, it appears, barely laid a glove on Albuquerque boxer Josh Torres.
Yes, the state’s COVID restrictions kept him away from his day job as a barber for two months in the spring of 2020. Yes, he signed a contract with a new promotional company that then walked away from boxing due to the pandemic.
And yes, he lost the only fight he’s had in the past 20 months.
There is, however, another frontrunner: former super welterweight champion Jaime Munguia, whom Mike Coppinger tabbed as a potential Golovkin (41-1-1, 36 KO) foe for this upcoming spring. Though the Mexican young gun has yet to acquire hardware at 160, he’s potentially both the easier and more lucrative option; Andrade (29-0, 18 KO), who’s nobody’s idea of a crowd-pleaser, presents a tricky style matchup, while Munguia’s struggles with Tureano Johnson bode ill for his chances against “GGG.”
With rival Billy Joe Saunders reportedly on track to face Canelo in May, Andrade may not have any options besides top contender Liam Williams if Munguia gets the call ahead of him.