Protect yourself at all times?

That might be the message for lightweight Cristian Baez, who failed to heed that adage in a scheduled 10-round bout against Ruben Torres on Saturday in Corona, California.

The fighters were engaged in a spirited battle when, in the seventh round, Baez suffered a flash knockdown. He quickly got up and referee Thomas Taylor gave him the OK to continue.

About Saturday night….. pic.twitter.com/XC27tbhwnh

— Thompson Boxing (@thompsonboxing) August 22, 2022

Then came his mistake. He reached out to touch gloves with Torres, who obliged him but almost simultaneously unleashed a left hook that put Baez flat on his back and knocked him out.

The punch was ruled legal.

Some fans were critical of Torres (19-0, 16 KOs) on social media, saying he showed poor sportsmanship by taking advantage of a goodwill gesture from Baez (18-2, 17 KOs).

Others supported Torres, stressing that fighters know they must be alert at all times.

“Number one rule in boxing is protect yourself at all times,” Torres was quoted as saying after the fight.

This story first appeared Aug. 24 on Boxing Junkie.

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