PHOENIX, AZ (June 26, 2008) World ranked and undefeated cruiserweight BJ Flores wanted to set the record straight regarding media reports that he rejected an “offer” to fight CES promoted Matt Godfrey next month on ESPN2. Speaking following a training session with former heavyweight world champion Hasim Rahman in Phoenix, Arizona, Flores said, “Let me set the record straight. CES has Aaron Williams and Matt Godfrey. Williams had wanted to fight me after my win over Darnell Wilson in February. I was fine with that at the time, but I was okay with waiting until after his fight with Jose Luis Herrera..”
“Williams got knocked out by Herrera so we said let’s fight Herrera. We went back and for with Jimmy Burchfield from CES for a while about terms. I don’t think CES wanted us to fight Herrera and we get asked if we’re interested in fighting Godfrey. No date, no money offer, no location. Just if we’re interested.
“We needed to know much more about the deal, especially the money, date, network and location. And that’s what we asked for and they never provided that specific information let alone showed us a contract. A request for more information does not constitute a rejection.”
“The bottom line is that Matt’s a gent; he was down here in Phoenix with me training with Hasim. We get along fine but I don’t think he wants to fight me for short end money, like $15,000, on ESPN, when the fight is worth much more. Nothing against ESPN, they’ve been great to me, but the purses should be bigger for us to fight, especially if I have to go to CES’s backyard to do it.”
“We’ve both worked hard in our careers to get to this point; this would be a SHOBOX or HBO Boxing After Dark type bout. It’s perfect for them and in keeping with what they’re trying to. Bottom line is make us a true offer and we’ll make a decision. If I had no fear of the biggest puncher in the division, I have no fear of anyone else.”
Said longtime manager of Flores, Lou Mesorano, “All due respect to Jimmy Burchfield, this fight doesn’t make sense for ESPN money. It’s worth much more than that. We’re willing to fight anyone and proved that in our last bout with Wilson.”
“These are the two best American cruisers. This is the pros, not the amateurs.”
Flores, 21-0-1 (13KO’s) is currently ranked # 2 by the IBF, # 5 by the WBO and # 8 by the WBA.