Manuel Flores-Jorge Chávez tops July 24 Golden Boy Fight Night on DAZN show
For years, Golden Boy Promotions has used its Fight Night series to properly develop its rising prospects.
Its next edition will pit two such fighters against one another rather than on parallel paths.
Manuel Flores and Jorge Chávez will meet in a pivotal junior featherweight matchup, Golden Boy confirmed Wednesday. Their scheduled 10-round clash will top the July 24 edition of Golden Boy Fight Night on DAZN from Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California.
“At Golden Boy, we’re in the business of building champions,” said Oscar De La Hoya, chairman and co-founder of Golden Boy and Hall of Fame former six-division champ. “It starts with spotting the next big stars and testing them against the best.
“Flores is riding the momentum of back-to-back knockout victories and Chávez is an undefeated fighter hungry to prove he’s ready for the next level.”
The bout represents a pair of firsts for San Diego’s Chávez, 14-0 (8 KOs).
A familiar face at this venue and on the series, this will mark the sixth appearance in both aspects for Chávez. However, he makes his debut as a headlining act and in his first career ten-round affair.
"I’m excited to headline this card and can’t wait to perform in front of all my Southern California fans on July 24th,” Chávez said. “Fantasy Springs is close to my hometown of San Diego, so I’m expecting the support to show up on fight night.”
Each of Chávez’s past three contests have gone the eight-round distance. He won literally every round in all three bouts, the norm for most of his fights to date. The lone scare in his career thus far came last February, when he was dropped in the opening round of an otherwise clean-cut decision win over veteran journeyman Diuhl Olguin.
Following his eight-round shutout of Brandon Douglas this past April, Chávez and his team agreed that it was time to advance to the next level.
“Manny Flores is a good fighter and this is the type of challenge I have wanted,” Chávez insisted. “I know I will rise to occasion and have an incredible performance, because winning this fight will take me to another level.”
Coachella’s Flores, 20-1 (16 KOs) will have hometown advantage in this fight but also finds himself at a career crossroads.
The 26-year-old southpaw has become a familiar face at Fantasy Springs; this clash will mark his ninth appearance in his last eleven starts. However, it housed his lone career defeat two years ago, when he was dominated over 10 rounds by Walter Santibanes.
Five consecutive wins have followed, all inside the distance and none which have lasted beyond the fourth round. He’s hardly been fed soft touches; Alberto Guevara has fought at the contender level, while Jorge Leyva was never stopped in his previous 21 bouts before he succumbed inside of four rounds to Flores on March 6 at this very location.
“This is my home, my people, and my moment,” said Manuel Flores. “Every round, every punch, every second—I fight for them. July 24th, I’m not just fighting an opponent; I’m defending my honor and representing my roots.”
