Mourning in Boxing: Efren "Alacran"
Torres Passed Away
by WBC Staff
February 27, 2009
(FEB 27) Misfortune keeps hitting our
sport. Today we received the unfortunate news of the passing away of
Efren “Alacran” (Scorpion) Torres, of Michoacan-Jalisco, who was
Flyweight world champion, an idol and great fighter in the sixties.
Efren, born on November 29th, 1943, in La Palma, Michoacan, passed away
today in Guadalajara, city where he lived since he was a child, and
place where he became a boxer under the guidance of another one of the
great boxing men of that region, manager Angel Casillas.
“Alacran” Torres won the WBC Flyweight world title on February 23rd,
1969 in the ring that had been set at the already gone “Toreo de Cuatro
Caminos”, defeating Chartchai Chionoi, of Thailand, by technical
knockout in 8 rounds. Torres had faced Chionoi in a battle of uncommon
thrill a year before, and Torres lost by TKO in 13 rounds.
The third man in the ring for both bouts was Arthur Mercante, of the
U.S.A., who is considered by many the best referee ever in professional
boxing.
Prior to that, Torres had lost by decision to Horacio Accavallo, of
Argentina, at Luna Park in Buenos Aires, in a world title fight.
“Alacran” defended his title twice. The first time he defeated Susumu
Hanagata, of Japan, by decision, and in the rematch against Chionoi, he
was outfought also by decision on March 20th, 1970.
Torres, who is considered one of the greatest Flyweight fighters in the
history of Mexican boxing, fought professionally from 1959 to 1972, and
defeated, among others, the aforementioned Chionoi and Hanagata, Pascual
Perez, of Argentina, Jose Medel and Octavio “Famoso” (Famous) Gomez, of
Mexico, Eduardo “Raton” (Mouse) Mojica, of Nicaragua, and Bob Allotey,
of Ghana.
The World Boxing Council is declaring a day of world mourning in our
scope, and is sending its most sincere condolences to the family of the
late great fighter.
