by David P. Greisman
BoxingScene.com: We’ve seen you in the studio doing analysis for ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights,” but you’ll actually be ringside starting this Saturday calling the fights for the NBC Sports Network shows. What kind of adjustment do you think that’ll be for you?
Flores: “It’s definitely going to be different than in studio, but last year I had the opportunity to work with a couple different programmers and TV stations. … I got my feet wet a little bit. I’d also done it for Sky Sports three years previous to that. So I’ve had an opportunity to do it a couple of times. I think I’ll be fine. It’s a lot of fun. I probably feel more at home at ringside than in the studio.”
BoxingScene.com: How are you going about preparing for a broadcast?
Flores: “I guess you do research for a fighters that are fighting, but fortunately I know quite a bit about Eddie [Chambers] and Sergei [Liakhovich], although Eddie won’t be fighting anymore because of a fractured rib. I know those guys well. I’ve sparred with Sergei numerous times, been in camp with him. I’ve followed Eddie for a long time as a fan. He’s a very good heavyweight, a solid heavyweight.
“Then the undercard has Gabriel Rosado. I’ve called a couple of his fights on ESPN, been in studio for those. Jesus Soto-Karass, I’ve seen his last two fights with Mike Jones, and then a couple before that. I’m pretty familiar with all the guys. I am a boxing fan besides just being a boxer myself. I feel pretty up to date on what’s going on.”
BoxingScene.com: Do you look toward anyone for guidance or inspiration on doing boxing commentary? Do you look toward other fighters who’ve done this, or do you also look to broadcast veterans along the lines of Al Bernstein and Steve Farhood?
Flores: “Two guys that I really enjoy watching. I enjoy watching Manny Steward because I think he has a lot of great insight and everything he says I normally agree with. And I also really enjoy Antonio Tarver. Like Tarver or not, he is very accurate with the stuff he says. He brings it across well. He does a great job. I know he’s new, but I like him. I think he’s great.”
BoxingScene.com: Have you had any chance to work on chemistry with your broadcast partners — Kenny Rice and Freddie Roach?
Flores: “No, I haven’t. I’m sure me and Freddie will sit down the day before and talk. I’ve met Freddie a few times. Great guy. Obviously he’s got a world of experience, and he’s trained a lot of great fighters. I think we’ll make a great team. And then Kenny Rice, I’ve heard him a number of times, when he’s doing the Olympics and other stuff he’s done. He’s just got a great voice and really keeps everyone up to par on what’s going on.
“Kenny’s the one who really has the difficult job. Me and Freddie just kind of sit there and give our opinions on what we think in the actual fight, but the tough job to me is Kenny Rice’s job. That stuff to me is harder to me. Me and Freddie just can go out there and have a good time.”
BoxingScene.com: A three-man booth can be tough to navigate. With you and Freddie Roach both coming in as the boxing experts, what do you see your role being during the broadcast?
Flores: “Whatever they tell me to do. We’ll have a director’s meeting before. We’ll sit down Friday. They’ll kind of tell us what our roles are. I’m just one player on the team. Whatever they need me to do, I’ll do. I’m very much a team player. It’s part of a being a professional.”
BoxingScene.com: Are gigs like these setting the stages for what you could end up doing whenever you end up hanging up the gloves?
Flores: “Man, I hope so. Commentating is definitely something that I wanted to do after my boxing career. Fortunately it’s been a blessing that it’s been able to start well before I was ready to hang up the gloves. I definitely enjoy boxing. I’m passionate about it. I love it. I think that translates over when I’m commentating.
“People can see that I’m passionate about it, and not only that I’m passionate about it, but I try to stay up on what’s going on so I can give real insight to the casual fan about not only why a certain fighter is doing a certain thing, but kind of some of the things fighters go through nowadays. It’s tough to relate to if you’re not in it yourself, I think.
“I’m excited to be commentating already and doing this kind of stuff, but not putting too much stock into it yet — because I still have a long career ahead of me in boxing.”
David P. Greisman is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Follow David on Twitter at twitter.com/fightingwords2 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fightingwordsboxing, or send questions and comments to fightingwords1@gmail.com
