Holland's Anthony Torres thrills crowd with knockout at Civic Center during Great Lakes Grudge

HOLLAND - Anthony Torres had waited his entire life to fight in front of his friends and family in his hometown. He finally got that chance and took full advantage of it, using a wicked left hook to bring the crowd to its feet as he knocked out Kalamazoo's John Taylor in just 51 seconds in the final bout on the card in the Great Lakes Grudge Pro-Am on Saturday, May 16, at the Holland Civic Center. The win upped Torres's record to 3-0, with all three of his victories coming via knockout.

"He saw me coming to knock his head off, so I guess he decided to make a business decision, you know what I mean? ," a smiling Torres said after the fight. "I came out (before the opening bell) and saw my family here to support me, so I had to show them what hard work does for you.

There's a lot of pressure on you when everyone comes out to support you like this, but you can't let that get to you. You gotta stay calm and collected and remember your training. " More: After Junior Olympics title, Holland teen Ricardo Emiliano to box at Civic Center More: Emily Martinez first Holland female boxer to win state Golden Gloves, reach nationals Torres, a 27-year-old Holland High School graduate who has been boxing since the age of 13, capped off a night that featured 12 fights (nine amateur and three professional) with boxers coming into town from cities such as Kalamazoo, Lansing, Gary (Ind.

), and of course, Holland. "You gotta remember your jab and not let the combination (punches) open up after that," Torres said. "It's super special being able to do this in Holland.