[jofre]

TORRES – GREEN (Reported by Nat Loubet)

July 4, 1969 - Green was a 15-minute substitute prior to the Garden’s opening contest. He was plucked out of the fans attending when Jimmy Ralston mysteriously backed out at the last minute claiming an arm injury.

Torres knocked Green out at 1:31 seconds of the second round when he connected with a desperation right hand.

Torres was nearly knocked out himself when Green floored him with a left hook and an overhand right. The bell rang and Torres was helped back to his corner by his handlers, a violation of the New York State rules which stipulated that the count must go on, and a fighter must go back to his corner, under his own power. No longer does the bell, except at the end, save a fighter from a knockout. Referee Johnny LoBianco seemingly didn’t notice the violation, which made Torres subject to disqualification.

Green dropped Torres again in the second with a right and the former champion made it to his feet at the count of eight.

Jose, at age 33 without a fight under his belt since April 1968, looked like an old man. The fans were amazed when he threw a sucker punch - a right hand – that found Green’s chin to end the fight.