BJ Flores Takes on the Green Machine: Danny Green Defends Tonight in Australia
By Geno McGahee
In December of 2009, when they were attempting to hype a rematch between Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones, JR., Danny Green was selected as a warm up for Roy. Green, 30-3, 27 KO’s, went out and did what he did best. He attacked Roy, pressing him, cornering him, and stopping him inside of one round.
Despite attempts by Roy to explain his defeat with claims that Green cheated, the rants were ignored by anyone not attached to Team Jones or the PPV Hopkins – Jones II. Green forged ahead, but he appears to be a victim of circumstance time and time again. When he faced and cleanly and clearly defeated Roy Jones, JR., the idea of “loaded gloves,” borrowed from an actual criminal, Antonio Margarito, was introduced, tarnishing the greatest moment in Green’s career. Thankfully, most people ignored Roy. As we all know, in his mind he has never lost cleanly, and if there is a loss on his record, he will come up with an excuse as to why he didn’t really lose.
Green forged on and stopped contender Manny Siaca in three rounds, heading into a much anticipated showdown with the gritty contender, Paul Briggs. It would be his third defense of the IBO Cruiserweight Title. A glancing jab twenty seconds into the first round put Briggs down, a man that had gone 24 tough rounds with Tomasz Adamek without budging. The chant of “fix” resonated throughout the arena and a formal investigation began. Green, once again, was questioned. First the claim of loaded gloves followed by fight fixing. He was cleared of both and now starts again with the hope that things will be better when he defends against undefeated BJ Flores, 24-0, 15 KO’s.
Flores is a boxer/puncher with the mobility that may give Green some problems, but the level of competition for the challenger is questionable. The biggest win came against powerhouse, Darnell Wilson. He followed that win up with three straight victories over very questionable opposition. Is he ready for the “Green Machine?”
Tonight, in Australia, we will watch a very confident and improving Green pounce on Flores. Flores will need to use his movement and timing to overcome the lack of experience and quality opposition. This is a tall order for the challenger, especially traveling to the backyard of the champion to take this opportunity. Green has three losses on his record, but two of the three can be questioned, losing once by DQ and the other by majority decision, before losing clearly by unanimous decision in 2006 to Anthony Mundine at super middleweight.
At the cruiserweight limit, Green’s record is 5-0, 5 KO’s. He plans to add another body to the record. It should be an interesting fight.