BJ Flores STUNS Fans – Boxing News
Las Vegas-based cruiserweight contender BJ “El Peligroso” Flores (30-1-1, 19 KOs) will face St Louis, Missouri’s Kevin Engel (20-10, 16 KOs) this Wednesday at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, in Biloxi, Mississippi, on the undercard of IBF middleweight champion “King” Sam Soliman (44-11, 18 KOs) defending against former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor (32-4-1, 20 KOs). The 35-year-old Flores says promotional problems stalled his momentum and ground his once-promising career to a halt on more than one occasion. Since he signed with power-manager Al Haymon and advisor Luis DeCubas Jr., last April, however, Flores’ is optimistic.
“2015 is going to be a big year for me,” said Flores. “This will be the year where it all takes off. I signed with Al in late spring and I’ve already fought May 10, June 26 and now October 8. I’m in a perfect position now and I’m ecstatic to have so much opportunity in front of me now, thanks to Al. I can’t wait to show the world how well I can fight.”
Flores says DeCubas has also been instrumental in his career resuscitation. “Louis DeCubas Jr. has also played a big part in helping my career take off. We started working together last year, and since then, one thing after another has come my way. This kid really loves boxing and has been around it a very long time and knows and understands the business. He has been a great help.”
At the relatively advanced age for a fighter of 35, few would question Flores if he decided to make the transition from fighter to media figure. But according to him, that’s not going to happen any time soon.
“First and foremost I’m a fighter,” he explained. “Commentating is something I started doing when I wasn’t getting fights, but I’m still a fighter above everything else. For me, fighting for a world championship is not about the money. Boxing is my life. Since I was a kid I would stay home from school and watch boxing on tape. And now I have hope I will get the chance to see how far I can take it.”