Perhaps the difference between an author and a writer is the simple notion that when persuing the story, you end up often more intrigued by the story within the story. This scribe was once an aspiring fighter who had role models within the fight community he grew up in. In persuing the story of these role models, I found that perhaps the story I am looking for cannot be written yet?
Prior to the nation's economic collapse, construction of the Providence housing area in the outskirts of Las Vegas was beckoning as the area's new Summerlin. With development of the neighborhoods ceasing and leaving many unfinished lots, the housing area, if remained untouched for many years, could start to possibly look like the planet Dagobah, the fictional planet in the Star Wars films that Luke Skywalker traveled to in search of Yoda. If life where imitating art and a young warrior was to get lost in the Providence area, he or she might end up running into a once great warrior that now resides in the area.
Every man has a story. A boxing fan may have seen a journeyman get stopped by Zab Judah, or maybe an unknown hold his own only to lose a controversial split decision in Miami against Hector Camacho Jr., but if you follow all combat sports, you know that Juan "The Ghost Warrior" Torres definitely has a story. A six-time world champion and kickboxing Hall of Famer, he was a pioneer of what is now the rich-filled world of MMA. Juan was the most established of the clan, but along with brothers Alejandro and Hector, they are the only triple brother combo in the sport to have all held titles. Besides thier sanctioned success, the Torres brothers were popular, underground fighters in what could be argued as the original MMA days. During official title defenses back in the 80's and early 90's, a star-studded cast of characters from the music, movie, and martial arts world would be among those who filled arenas to watch "The Ghost Warrior." It was not uncommon to hear eyewitness accounts of these underground and unofficial performaces from some of the celebrities that reportedly attended those secret battles. A lot like Andrew "Six Heads" Lewis, Torres earned his nickname after opponents often compared the task of hitting him to that of hitting a ghost.
Torres campaigned as a lightweight and jr. welterweight, and he compiled a kickboxing record of 50 and 3 with 1 no contest and 35 knockouts. In one of those losses, he fought Peter "Sugarfoot" Cunningham on 24-hour notice and lost by 1 point on each of the three judges scorecards. Another defeat was a close decision loss to fellow legend Paul Vizzio, who himself had reportedly compiled a 50 and 0 "underground" record. The other defeat on his resume was avenged twice as he embarresed Jorge Angott in one bout, knocking him down six times in less than 5 minutes. Torres also holds a 4th degree black belt in Kenpo and a 3rd degree black belt in Kung Fu. Prior to relocating to Las Vegas from South Lake Tahoe, California in 2002, he was teaching several students his own created style of self defense, a fighting system called Song Long Miu Kung Fu. Past students have mainly been troubled youths who turned thier lives around. Today, one is a police officer in Arkansas and another is a counselor for troubled youths in Florida. Each one still holds Torres in high regard. Gil Castillo, a former MMA fighter who had several UFC fights, including a fight against Matt Hughes, often traveled to Torres's house for several days at a time for training.
Today, Torres works as a security supervisor at a well-known Las Vegas Casino. His combat talents have been put to use on several occassions by casino executives, who often pull him from normal duties in order to perform off-property security details. His combat career ended in 1999 when he suffered a stroke in the locker room prior to what was supposed to be a boxing match against former world champion Cesar Bazan. Having recovered from the stroke, he now is like a ghost when it comes to working as a trainer or conerman in the combat sports world. Most young fighters have never heard of him, and established fighters already have the stability of their own cornerman. Nonetheless, Juan and his brother Hector hope to have thier own gym going, in about a year or so, where they will be teaching the family legacy fighting style and honoring eldest brother Alejandro, who passed away in 2008.
Every warrior has a story. Torres fought in a time when fighters fought as a labor of love, but don't be surprised in the future if you see The Ghost Warrior reemerge soon as a cornerman and trainer in todays wealthy combat sports industry, for in the eyes of Juan Torres, the final chapter is yet to be written.