Boxer KO’d with cheap shot – and fans are divided whether it should be legal

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A boxer was nailed with a brutal right hand but fans have questioned the legality of the punch on social media. This past Saturday night at the Omega Products International Event Centre in Corona, California, Ruben “Ace” Torres took on Cristian Baez in the lightweight main event.

After coming back from being knocked down himself earlier in the fight, but an incredible turn of events saw Baez made the mistake of trying to touch gloves and was brutally knocked out with a deadly left hook by Torres in round seven.

He fell to the canvas and the fight was stopped almost immediately and the American was declared the winner. The devastating shot went viral on twitter and fans are split on whether it should have stood.

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User @MmaAshyK didn't pull any punches as he said: “No it’s not dirty, you are at war. Stop trying to hug and touch gloves.” @Btre_ added: “Number 1 rule is protect yourselves at all times. He failed to do so and paid the price. If it was dirty it’d be illegal."

On the other hand, @sweetchuckp wrote: “Dirty, but, protect yourself at all times.” and @TheCriticalDri1 posted: “Unsportsmanlike conduct is always unbecoming. What a d**k. #Boxing.” Post fight Torres was delighted to win the bout and defended the punch that sealed the victory.

“They always say protect yourself at all times,” he said. “This is boxing and fighters like myself are always on the attack. The referee gave the signal to start fighting again and I came out guns blazing, especially after I knocked him down.

“I hit him with a left hook and that was it, the fight was over. I’m ready to move on to bigger and better fights as I march up the rankings.”

Despite the explosive end to the fight, it was hard fought and Torres stressed the need for improvement.

“It’s obvious we have some sharpening up to do,” he added. “You go into the fight and your confidence is high, then you touch the canvas, then you think, ‘I have some work to do.’

“We have to go back to the drawing board. We’re still undefeated and we’re still coming. I have to get sharper.” Torres, who resides in South Central Los Angeles, improved his undefeated record to 19-0, with 16 knockouts.

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