Boxer KO's opponent split-second after touching gloves, fans say it was a dirty move

Boxing fans have been in debate after footage emerged of a knockout blow that came just milliseconds after two opponents touched gloves.

The incident came in a bout between Ruben Torres and Christian Baez at the ‘Path To Glory’ event at the Omega Products International Event Center in California. 

The scheduled 10-round bout had a quick pause after Baez had suffered a flash knockdown, before quickly getting to his feet with the referee allowing the bout to continue.

Baez walked over to his opponent and made the motion to touch gloves, to which Torres obliged.

However, within one swift movement from touching gloves to throwing a left hook, Torres had knocked out Baez with a swift sucker punch.

The punch looked brutal with Baez not lifting his hands to protect himself. It all happened so soon.

It certainly seemed like unsportsmanlike conduct from Torres, who went on to defend himself after the fight.

He said: “They always say protect yourself at all times.

“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.”

However, not everyone seemed to agree with the fighter’s assessment.

Mark Ortega, a producer for PBC on Fox tweeted: “This is a lie from Ruben Torres. He went to touch gloves and then immediately uncorked the KO blow. Guns blazing would’ve been not touching gloves.

“Legal, but dirty.”

Whilst another fan tweeted: “The minute the handshake becomes a risky thing to do is the minute this stops being a sport.

“This isn't a street fight.”

Others believed Torres was right to unload his hook.

One fan said: “Rule No.1: Protect yourself at all times.”

Another tweeted: “Always be ready. In life or in the ring.”

The moment drew comparisons to the infamous Floyd Mayweather incident in 2011, where the undefeated knocked out Victor Ortiz shortly after an embrace.