By Ryan Burton

 

BoxingScene.com has been advised that BJ Flores (24-1) will return to the ring on July 23 versus Nick Iannuzzi (16-2) at the O'Reilly Center in Springfield, MO in front of his hometown fans.  The fight headlines a hybrid card that features 4 boxing matches and 7 mma fights.

 Flores informed Boxingscene that both the NABO interim and NABA titles will be on the line which will put the winner towards the top of the ratings with both the WBO and WBA.

 

Flores is looking to get a win and erase last years loss to Danny Green which as Flores' first loss.  "I have been starving to get back into the ring! I have been training like a dog!  My last fight has simply made me more hungry and determined.  I can't wait to face another high level opponent in this tyype of make or break fight.  The winner of this fight takes a giant step forward and the loser takes a giant step backwards."

 

Flores thought that his next fight would be in Australia again, where his fight with Danny Green took place.  The part time ESPN boxing analyst had been waiting for a date from Green's promotional team and just recently found out that they were going in a different direction.  Flores was well received by the fans in Australia and looked forward to fighting in front of them again.

 

"The truth of the matter is, I have been waiting to get back into the ring because we were supposed to fight again in Australia and I had received countless emails and calls from them telling me of there desire to have me down under after the close fight with Danny Green.  The people saw what they saw and for that reason Angelo Hyder and Danny wanted me back.  It wasn't until about one and a half months ago that we found out they were moving in another direction.  So I am now moving forward."

 

Flores is looking to be more active than he has been the past few years.  He said that he has a great following at home in Missouri and looks forward to fighting on many hometown cards that should ultimately lead him to a title shot.  "I have a lot to learn and will be much better with keeping an active schedule and that is exactly what I plan to do.  We have a great following in Missouri and I plan on fighting here every 3 months to keep myself sharp and keep moving towards another title shot.  Before my last fight I was off almost 16 months and you can never be at your best under those conditions.  I will not let that happen again"!

 

Undefeated Lateef Kayode was Flores' first choice as an opponent.  A few months back here on Boxingscene we had verbal attacks between BJ Flores,Team Kayode and Ryan Coyne flying back and forth as Flores called out Kayode and Kayode's team also went back and forth with Coyne.  Kayode defeated Iannuzzi in his last fight, a fight that Flores felt that Iannuzzi should have gotten the nod.  Flores said," Nick Iannuzzi provides a great challenge.  We had offered this fight to eight different guys rated in the top ten in the US and all of them turned it down except Iannuzzi.  This guy is coming off a very controversially loss to WBO #3 WBA #3 WBC #4 Lateef Kayode.  Everyone that saw that fight except the three judges thought Ianuzzi had done enough to win the fight.  He is tough and gritty and I thought he performed very well on Showtime.  Immediately after the fight I did a press release calling out Kayode.  However they responded by simply saying 'Flores is a racist and blah blah blah.'  Listen, I all want to do is fight!  I don't care where Lateef is from! However, I will now look to the next best thing. Fighting the guy who all the Showtime announcers had winning the fight, Nick Iannuzzi.  I am looking forward to fighting for the NABO interim and NABA titles and gaining a rating with the WBO and WBA by facing a tough opponent. This fight will put me right back into position to fight another big fight!  I am very up for the challenge and looking forward to getting one step closer to another title shot."

 

The Flores vs. Iannuzzi fight is promoted by Joe Kelly of Titan Entertainment and Wes Slay productions.  Tickets go on sale in early July and the fight will be televised by local television.

 

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