American B.J Flores wants to fight green and mundine
Posted: 26 Sep 2009, 17:52
Danger man has Green in his sights
Daniel Lane
September 26, 2009
BENJAMIN "B.J." Flores is the hardest-punching Mormon in America's wild west.
His future is so bright that even in a darkened boxing stadiums he wears his cool and most likely sponsored sunglasses. He considers himself a role model for kids and when visiting schools implores them to change all they think is "bad" in their lives.
Had he not focused on boxing while still at college, his supporters say he could have made his name in athletics or even American football.
Flores's grandfather, Ralph, was the subject of a movie after his single-engine plane crashed in Canada's remote Yukon territory, and he and his passenger survived on melted snow for 49 days. His father (and trainer), Frank, helped Vince Phillips on his path towards winning a world boxing title.
As a Mormon missionary, Flores lived in one of Mexico's poorest provinces, where, in between preaching the gospel and helping to rebuild homes, he sparred with some extremely mean hombres.
He also enjoys a solid supporter base, with the likes of Hall of Fame matchmaker Bobby Goodman predicting the 30-year-old from Las Vegas is on the verge of making it big on the world stage.
"He's special," Goodman enthuses. "He has size, speed and a good head. And, I've signed him for life . . ."
Flores told The Sun-Herald he hopes to add another chapter to his already impressive life story by travelling to Australia to meet – and defeat – both Danny Green and Anthony Mundine.
Flores fought on last month's bill that featured Green and American legend Roy Jones jnr at Biloxi, Mississippi. After he beat Columbia's Epifanio Mendoza by a fourth-round TKO, he watched on as Green destroyed Argentina's Julio Cesar Dominguez for the International Boxing Organisation's cruiserweight title and Jones all but ended the once-fearsome Jeff Lacy's career.
During the night Flores made a point of seeking out an Australian journalist to declare his intention to add both Green's and Mundine's scalps to his growing record.
"I love Danny Green," he said of the world champion he befriended in America's deep south.
"But I want to go Down Under and fight him. Business is business, and I want to be regarded as the best cruiserweight in the world.
"I'm keen to fight in Australia, meet some fans and see the country. We also have to get Mundine up to cruiserweight [from middleweight] so I can fight him. I understand Mundine isn't too popular in Australia, and if you guys want to make me an honorary citizen, that'd be cool by me . . ."
During his time in Mexico in the late 1990s, Flores was nicknamed "El Peligroso" – The Dangerous One – after a series of wild spars against some hard-bitten pugs. "They gave that name to me because I sparred all their guys and ended up beating up a lot of their pros," he said.
Flores is expected to be in Sydney on December 2 to watch Green defend his crown against Jones in what is being described as the biggest fight ever staged in Australia. If he is not on the card, it is expected he'll be ringside where it is inevitable he'll issue a challenge to Green.
While some would suggest Flores is preparing to bite off more than he can chew – Green has also held world titles at super-middleweight and light-heavyweight – the Australian said he had plenty of respect for the American all star.
"He's a good bloke and can fight, too," Green said. "He showed plenty of respect for all the guys fighting at Biloxi, and I liked there was no trash talking. I like him as a fighter. He has a good left jab. He works everything off the jab, and I love that in a fighter."
'He's a good bloke and can fight, too . . . He has a good left jab.'
Daniel Lane
September 26, 2009
BENJAMIN "B.J." Flores is the hardest-punching Mormon in America's wild west.
His future is so bright that even in a darkened boxing stadiums he wears his cool and most likely sponsored sunglasses. He considers himself a role model for kids and when visiting schools implores them to change all they think is "bad" in their lives.
Had he not focused on boxing while still at college, his supporters say he could have made his name in athletics or even American football.
Flores's grandfather, Ralph, was the subject of a movie after his single-engine plane crashed in Canada's remote Yukon territory, and he and his passenger survived on melted snow for 49 days. His father (and trainer), Frank, helped Vince Phillips on his path towards winning a world boxing title.
As a Mormon missionary, Flores lived in one of Mexico's poorest provinces, where, in between preaching the gospel and helping to rebuild homes, he sparred with some extremely mean hombres.
He also enjoys a solid supporter base, with the likes of Hall of Fame matchmaker Bobby Goodman predicting the 30-year-old from Las Vegas is on the verge of making it big on the world stage.
"He's special," Goodman enthuses. "He has size, speed and a good head. And, I've signed him for life . . ."
Flores told The Sun-Herald he hopes to add another chapter to his already impressive life story by travelling to Australia to meet – and defeat – both Danny Green and Anthony Mundine.
Flores fought on last month's bill that featured Green and American legend Roy Jones jnr at Biloxi, Mississippi. After he beat Columbia's Epifanio Mendoza by a fourth-round TKO, he watched on as Green destroyed Argentina's Julio Cesar Dominguez for the International Boxing Organisation's cruiserweight title and Jones all but ended the once-fearsome Jeff Lacy's career.
During the night Flores made a point of seeking out an Australian journalist to declare his intention to add both Green's and Mundine's scalps to his growing record.
"I love Danny Green," he said of the world champion he befriended in America's deep south.
"But I want to go Down Under and fight him. Business is business, and I want to be regarded as the best cruiserweight in the world.
"I'm keen to fight in Australia, meet some fans and see the country. We also have to get Mundine up to cruiserweight [from middleweight] so I can fight him. I understand Mundine isn't too popular in Australia, and if you guys want to make me an honorary citizen, that'd be cool by me . . ."
During his time in Mexico in the late 1990s, Flores was nicknamed "El Peligroso" – The Dangerous One – after a series of wild spars against some hard-bitten pugs. "They gave that name to me because I sparred all their guys and ended up beating up a lot of their pros," he said.
Flores is expected to be in Sydney on December 2 to watch Green defend his crown against Jones in what is being described as the biggest fight ever staged in Australia. If he is not on the card, it is expected he'll be ringside where it is inevitable he'll issue a challenge to Green.
While some would suggest Flores is preparing to bite off more than he can chew – Green has also held world titles at super-middleweight and light-heavyweight – the Australian said he had plenty of respect for the American all star.
"He's a good bloke and can fight, too," Green said. "He showed plenty of respect for all the guys fighting at Biloxi, and I liked there was no trash talking. I like him as a fighter. He has a good left jab. He works everything off the jab, and I love that in a fighter."
'He's a good bloke and can fight, too . . . He has a good left jab.'
DD.