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'Brutal and criminal': Boxing world in shock over sickening moment

Controversy and debate has erupted in the boxing world over a professional fighter’s brutal KO of an amateur opponent.

American fighter Richard Torrez had to be taken out of the ring on a stretcher after a shocking first-round knockout at the hands of Uzbekistan’s Bakhodir Jalolov in the AIBA world championship in Russia.

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Prior to 2016 a professional would never have been allowed to fight an amateur, however the rules were changed to allow pros to fight at the Olympics.

The rule change means Jalolov, who is now 6-0 in his pro career with six knockouts, was allowed to participate in Russia.

Richard Torrez, pictured here after the sickening knockout.
Bakhodir Jalolov had to be taken out of the ring on a stretcher. Image: Mauricio Sulaiman

Torrez, 20, was 44-4 in his amateur career and had never been knocked out.

However he was no match for his professional opponent.

Jalolov rocked Torrez with two massive combinations before the first round was even over, sending his opponent crashing to the canvas.

Torrez was unconscious before he hit the mat - the referee immediately calling for medical attention.

Bakhodir Jalolov, pictured here competing at the 2016 Olympics.
Bakhodir Jalolov in action at the 2016 Olympics. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

He was then taken from the ring on a stretcher and transferred to hospital.

The complete mismatch sparked a furious reaction among the boxing community, led by WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman.

"Brutal and criminal to allow a professional boxer Jalolov from Russia with 6-0 as a pro to fight outclassed, outweighed and far smaller USA 20-year-old amateur Torrez AIBA world championship in Russia,” he tweeted.

However others pointed out that Torrez has fought over 100 times and is no slouch, and he too could have turned pro if he wanted.

Torrez OK after sickening knockout

Torrez later took to social media to update fans on his condition.

“I got hit with a good shot. I’m here in the hospital right now,” Torrez said.

“Everything’s perfect, all the tests came back perfect. They’re just here making sure I’m staying OK … back to the drawing board.”