Boxingtalk Prospect Watch: Gabriel Flores Jr

By G. Leon

25/04/2019

Boxingtalk Prospect Watch: Gabriel Flores Jr

Teenage Sensation and Huge Ticket Seller Gabriel Flores back on ESPN May 4th

Earlier today teenage phenom Gabriel Flores Jr. (12-0 5KO) took some time to speak with Boxingtalk as he puts the finishing touches on preparation for his May 4th bout against Eduardo Pereira (23-5 19KO). The Flores-Pereira bout will take place on the Beterbiev-Kalajdzic undercard, but for all intents and purposes, Flores, a huge draw in his hometown of Stockton, California is the one putting asses in seats. After speaking with this young man, polite and humble are the first two words that jump to mind if one wanted to describe him. You don't want to miss what he had to say in this one on one interview that can only be found on Boxingtalk.
 
GL: How's everything going in preparation for your May 4th bout with Eduardo Pereira?
 
Gabriel Flores Jr: "Everything is good. I'm preparing well, I had my last day of sparring. I feel good and I'm just ready to fight now."
 
GL: What are your thoughts on Pereira as a fighter?
 
GF: "We looked at him and he's a come forward fighter, pretty much come forward and try to line up his right hand. I think that's what he's going to be trying to land on the night of the fight."
 
GL: You're about to tun 19 four days before the fight, but how do you feel about all of this attention and love that you're already getting? How did you become a ticket seller so quickly?
 
GF: "I have great fans that support me and it feels good. Being 19 years old and being able to be in my hometown fighting already, I mean there's a lot of world champions who don't get to do that. It takes a while for a lot of guys to do that, so me being able to now, it just feels good and I'm ready. I feel like this is happening at the perfect timing."
 
GL: How do you feel about getting some more air time on ESPN?
 
GF: "I feel great. For the second time I'm going to be on ESPN and I've got to perfom now that's it, but there's no worries because performing is part of my job."
 
GL: Any extra pressure fighting in your hometown fighting under those bright lights?
 
GF: "I say it's extra motivation, not pressure. I don't feel pressure, I just feel more motivated to be able to bring something great to my city."
 
GL: Based on what you've seen of Pereira, what do you consider your biggest advantage coming into this fight?
 
GF: "My movement, my boxing IQ and my ring generalship overall."
 
GL: How do you want to be moved? Do you want on the fast track or are you leaving it all to your team?
 
GF: "I'm going to take it fight by fight and continue to improve as we go. I'm not in any rush, I'm 18 about to be 19 years old. Whatever Top Rank throws at me I'm going to take care of it, I'm going to fight and I'm going to keep on fighting. This is what I love to do and I'm here to enjoy it for a long time."
 
GL: It's been a hot minute since you last scored a knockout. Do you see this fight ending within the distance?
 
GF: "I don't really force anything for knockouts. I box and go in there with a great gameplan, but if they make that one mistake there they go."
 
GL: How active do you plan on being for the remainder of the year?
 
GF: "I'd like to say hopefully I fight another four times before the end of the year."
 
GL: Will this be your last six rounder?
 
GF: "Yes...I hope so." (laughs)
 
GL: At what weight do you see yourself fighting for your first world title?
 
GF: "135 pounds, I'll win my world title at lightweight."
 
GL: Who's your favorite fighter of all time?
 
GF: "My favorite fighter of all time is Roy Jones Jr. I loved how comfortable he was in the ring, he just moved around so comfortably."
 
GL: Do you consider yourself a student of the game? Do you watch boxing often?
 
GF: "I do. I watch boxing all of the time, I'm a big fan of boxing as a figher. I'm not just in this game fighting here and there, I'm watching all the fights I can."
 
GL: What made you first fall in love with the sport?
 
GF: "Watching my older brother Rogelio Gutierrez fight. I was a kid watching him fight, at the time I was playing tee-ball and I was six years old at the time, so it looked so interesting to me that I asked my father if I could start fighting when I was seven and he said yeah. When I turned seven I started and I've never looked back."
 
GL: What part of your game do you feel needs the most improvement?
 
GF: "Little things here and there, maybe some more body shots. I throw good counters and fast punches, but I feel like I could go to the body more."
 
GL: Do you feel like you've fully shed your amateur skin?
 
GF: "Yes. I kept some good tactics that I learned and I've kept those in my toolbox, but I've learned a lot about pro boxing since I've turned professional and this is going to be a great year for me, that's why I call it my spazz out year."
 
GL: Do you consider yourself a puncher? How would you describe your style? Is the power coming?
 
GF: "A boxer puncher. I think the power is there, I've just got to sit down and use it."
 
GL: Is there anything you'd like to say to the fans in closing?
 
GF: "I love my Stockton people and I'm glad I'm fighting in my hometown at the Stockton Arena. It's been a dream of mine ever since the amateurs and I'm going to make everybody proud to be a Stocktonian on May 4th."

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