By Rey Danseco

 

World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific flyweight champion Rexon Flores has reached the hometown of his opponent in Cordoba, Argentina in preparation for his first crack at a world title.

Flores tackled a total of 48 exhausting travel hours, arrived in Argentina’s second largest city around 8:30 p.m Sunday (Monday morning in the Philippines).

Before setting his feet in the tarmac of Ambrosio L V Taravella Airport, the 23-year old native of Cadiz City flexed his muscle and declared his confidence of taking the WBO flyweight champion from long-time champion Omar “The Hurricane” Narvaez, 31-year old son of Cordoba.

“I’ll do my best to win, (this will be) for the country),” Flores told his manager Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr. and the other member of 4-man Team Flores, includes trainer Erbito Salavarria and Ruel Morata.

While on their way to the hotel, the Team Flores learned from Carlos Alberto Tello, Narvaez trainer, told them that the fight was moved on August 5, day after the original schedule, at the 12,000-seat Super Domo Orfeo.

Elorde feels the one-day rescheduling of the 12-round title fight will favor Flores.

“We’ve been in a long trip, Rexon is so tired,” said Elorde. “At least he’ll have time to rest and accustomed the weather here.”

Flores feel the chilling cold in the 1,555 feet above sea level City as “unfriendly” as when he left Manila Saturday night (Friday morning in Cordoba) having 28 degrees centigrade temperature compare to 4° C in Cordoba.

“So cold here,” said Flores, who trained for the title fight since May in Paranaque City, Metro Manila.

Tello did not bring the Team Flores in what the Filipino challenger was expecting to stay at the 10-storey King David Flat Hotel. Instead, the well-known Argentinean trainer sent them at the 16-story Sheraton Cordoba Hotel, a 5-star hotel with 188 rooms and about eight miles away from the airport.

Elorde describe the hotel located at the busy Duarte Quiros Avenue as “a nice hotel”. It is convenient to many of the city's main tourist attractions, exclusive shopping areas, and recreational districts.

Around 3pm on Monday (Tuesday in Manila), Flores and Narvaez will size each other for the first time in the press preview that Argentina’s leading promoter and Narvaez manager, Mario Margossián, organizes in a private gym near the hotel.

The bout, to be televised throughout Argentina, is a mandatory fight as Flores (16-2-4, 8 KOs) is Narvaez’s (21-0-2, 15 KOs) top ranked challenger. It will be the eight time the 31-year old champ puts the title on the line.