Jayr Raquinel stuns Filipino tormentor Torres in Japan

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Jayr Raquinel delivered one of the sweetest acts of revenge for Philippine boxing after scoring a stunning technical knockout (TKO) victory over Japan-based Mexican Kenbun Torres on Sunday, July 12, at the Sangyo Shinko Center in Osaka, Japan.

The non-title, eight-round showdown had Torres installed as the heavy favorite, carrying an intimidating résumé highlighted by victories over several Filipino fighters, including former world title contender and Cebuano Kevin Jake Cataraja and former interim world champion Reymart Gaballo.

But Raquinel flipped the script in emphatic fashion.

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The 29-year-old dropped Torres three times in a devastating opening round, prompting the Mexican to remain on his stool and wave off the fight before the second round began.

Raquinel unleashed vicious combinations that overwhelmed Torres from the opening bell, catching him off guard in what was expected to be a feeling-out round as both fighters gauged each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

With the statement victory, Raquinel improved his record to 19-3-1, including 14 knockouts.

Torres, now 38, suffered the seventh defeat of his career, dropping to 16-7 with 11 knockouts.

The Mexican is infamous among Filipino boxing fans for stopping Gaballo via first-round TKO in Manila in 2024.

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That same year, Torres also handed the previously unbeaten Cataraja a split-decision loss in Osaka, a defeat that dramatically altered the Cebuano’s career trajectory.

For Raquinel, the win marked the perfect bounce-back performance after suffering a unanimous decision loss to Ghana’s Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey in the latter’s hometown of Accra last December.

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