by James Slater: Undefeated cruiserweight contender B.J Flores, as of yesterday, became a free agent. No longer promoted by Square Ring, the 31-year-old is looking ahead to finally getting the big fights he has been craving for what seems like the longest time.
Flores, 24-0-1(15) has not fought since his August 2009 stoppage of Epifiano Mendoazo, and he has been “beyond frustration” at not being able to secure a fight in the meantime. But now, with trainers Ray Franklin and Jacob Chavez, “El Peligroso” is looking towards a fresh start and is confident he can become the dominant force in the 200-pound weight class.
B.J was having a sauna after a hard day of training that included doing sprint work in 104-degree heat, and today I spoke with Chavez and Franklin – the latter a trainer who has worked with, among others, “the late, great Edwin Valero” and Kelly Pavlik.
Here is what both guys had to say; Chavez first:
James Slater: What is the word on B.J’s next fight now that he is a free agent? Will it still be an IBF elimination against the Cuban, Yoan Pablo Hernandez?
Jacob Chavez: Well, the latest in that is they [Sauerland] offered us the fight for August 21st in Germany. As you can guess, that date gave us problems regarding the time frame. The purse bid was done on the last day of July, and then they offered us the fight for just two weeks after that. It’s not practical to fly all the way to Germany this Saturday, with such short notice. We are asking them to put the fight back to September or maybe early October. All we need is for a practical offer and then the fight will be on.
J.S: Are you concerned, though, that Hernandez’s people will stand firm and say they won’t put the date back? Doesn’t B.J need this fight, and wasn’t it ordered by the IBF? What if B.J doesn’t take it and Hernandez fights someone else instead?
J.C: I can’t see why they wouldn’t put it back. It’s no big deal to put a fight back for a couple of weeks. Hernandez is welcome to fight someone else on August 21st if he wants, but he needs to fight B.J, as it’s a big fight and the winner will have earned a shot at Steve Cunningham. We’re standing firm on this, it’s unfeasible for us to fight this Saturday. But also, with B.J being a free agent now, we can look at what else is out there – we can explore a lot of opportunities. B.J is the best cruiserweight out there and he has no problem fighting any of the current title holders. He’s free now from all the politics and we can get him good fights. Just give us adequate time and B.J will fight Huck, Cunningham, whoever. We just want a fair shake.
Ray Franklin then came onto the phone.
J.S: It’s been a year since B.J’s last fight, as you know. He’s been in the gym all the time though?
Ray Franklin: Not just staying in the gym, B.J has really been working on his strength and his conditioning. After his awesome power forced Mendoza to quit [in Flores’ last fight] B.J has worked mainly on increasing his power threshold. B.J has amazing power and we’ve been working on his transference from a boxer to a puncher. You see, we don’t just want him to win the belt, but to do it in sensational fashion – and for B.J to dominate the division now that David [Haye] has gone up to heavyweight. Once he gets one of the top names, he will be ready to impress; not just win but really impress. As I say, he’s focused on his power, on sitting down on his punches. He’s the best and his jab is pound-for-pound perhaps the best in the world.
J.S: Are you worried at all about ring rust? After that year out.
R.F: Not at all. B.J is strong and getting stronger all the time. The thing is, B.J is a physical anomaly really – in that everything he has that has made him what he is, he was born with it; it’s just a gift. He’s building his power without losing any of his speed. And he’s out on his own now, there is nothing to stop any fighter from picking up the phone and saying, ‘let’s
get a fight on,’ one to one. If they just pick up the phone, it’s that simple. B.J s not afraid of facing anyone, just as long as we’re given a reasonable amount of time to get ready. We’re ready and believe me, B.J is a future world champion!
It seems as though the talents of B.J Flores are finally about to be put to the test against the elite of the 200-pound division. Let’s hope the big fights do come his way in the coming weeks/months. Staring with that eliminator with Yoan Pablo Hernandez. Stay tuned.