Glendale, AZ, USA (August 15, 2024) - On September 20th, unbeaten heavyweight prospect Richard Torrez Jr. will face seasoned journeyman Joey Dawejko in an eight-round bout at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. This bout represents a slight step up in competition for Torrez, who has quickly built a reputation as a powerful and exciting fighter in the division.

Torrez, 25, boasts an impressive 10-0 record with all of his wins coming by knockout. The young southpaw from Tulare, California, has shown a tendency to end fights early, with half of his victories occurring in the first round. Torrez's aggressive style and knockout power have made him a rising star in the heavyweight division, and his Olympic pedigree—having won a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics—adds to his growing reputation.

However, facing Joey Dawejko presents a different kind of challenge for Torrez. Dawejko, 34, is a veteran of the sport with a professional record of 28-11-4, including 16 knockouts. Known as "Tank," Dawejko has been in the ring with some of the sport's biggest names and has earned a reputation as a tough, durable opponent who can give anyone a hard night's work. Despite a mixed record in recent years, Dawejko is known for his fast hands, solid chin, and ability to push his opponents to their limits.

Dawejko's experience could prove valuable against a young fighter like Torrez, who has yet to be tested over longer distances in the professional ranks. Torrez has never gone past the eighth round in his career, and if Dawejko can withstand the early onslaught, he may force Torrez to use more energy. The veteran has only been stopped three times in his career, indicating that he has the resilience to potentially extend the fight and test Torrez's stamina and composure.

Dawejko's most notable moment came not in the ring during an official fight, but in the gym, where he famously sparred with Anthony Joshua before Joshua's shocking loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019. This connection to one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight history adds an intriguing layer to Dawejko's career and further emphasizes his role as a gatekeeper in the division.

For Torrez, this fight is not just about maintaining his undefeated record but about learning and growing as a fighter. A victory over Dawejko would be another feather in his cap, showing that he is ready to take on tougher challenges in the future. Conversely, Dawejko will be looking to prove that he still has what it takes to compete at a modest level and potentially derail the rise of one of the division's most promising prospects.

Torrez aims to show that he is not just a knockout artist but a well-rounded boxer capable of handling a seasoned veteran. Dawejko, on the other hand, will be looking to remind the boxing world that he is more than just a stepping stone for young prospects.