By Ryan Burton, Carlos Boogs

BoxingScene caught up former amateur standout and newly-crowned WBA-NABF heavyweight champion BJ Flores (33-3-1  21 KO's), who made his official debut in boxing's biggest division this past weekend and now wants the biggest challenges at the weight.

Flores is currently in the UK, where he will be ringside on Saturday night at the O2 Arena to support close friend David Haye when he faces Tony Bellew.

BoxingScene:  Congratulations on your victory over Jeremy Bates this past Saturday night and on winning the WBA NABF heavyweight title. How did it feel fighting at heavyweight?

Flores: It felt good . I've been killing myself the past few years making weight and I really mean killing myself. Days and days of sauna and calories down  to almost nothing.   In my last title fight, I was so drained making weight that I had absolutely nothing on fight night and was hit with a low blow that totally zapped what little energy I did have.  It was great going into a fight feeling strong, and I think it showed in my performance knocking out a 257 pound man in the first.  On a side note, I'm not making a big deal of the win on Saturday. It was a step in a new direction. We offered the fight to a dozen other fighters and half of those were undefeated. They all declined. Credit to Bates for stepping up and taking the fight.

BoxingScene: Do you plan on finishing your career at heavyweight?

Flores: No doubt. I am never going back to Cruiserweight again.  I picked up the NABA title so I expect I will  probably be rated in the next ratings period.  I really want to thank the WBA for the opportunity to fight for the belt. Hopefully, I will get the opportunity to fight guys like Lucas Browne, Alexander Povetkin, Antonio Tarver, or the winner of Briggs and Oquendo. I think all those are realistic type fights for me right now, and I like my chances in all those fights.

BoxingScene:  You would be willing to travel to Moscow and fight Povetkin after his most recent drug test result that caused the cancellation of the Stivern bout?

Flores: Sure. In fact, I think Povetkin is going to be under the microscope now, so I'd have no problem going to Moscow or anywhere for that fight.  I am sure he will turn up to fight clean. Besides, I like the fact that I wouldn't be giving up too much size and feel like I'd be the faster guy in the ring. I think his promoter Ryabinsky said they are going to go in another direction from the WBC.  Ryabinsky is a smart business man, so maybe he will see value in my NABA title. 

BoxingScene: You mentioned Browne, he would be an interesting fight for you.

Flores:  Lucas Browne is  a very down to earth Great guy. Kind of hard not to like the him. But in this business, its about going after guys with big names to make entertaining fights, and I would love the opportunity against a big guy that relies on his size without much amateur experience. He's got a great win on his resume with the Chagaev victory. If I had my choice, I'd rather fight Povetkin or Browne. Antonio has always been someone I've followed and been close with, and he's a great talent, but if it makes sense then I'm all for it. 

BoxingScene:  Anything you want to say in closing?

Flores: Thanks to my Team, my sponsors, and my fans.  We had an unbelievable sell-out crowd this past Saturday in Phoenix and Ironboy Promotions did a great job.  I'm just looking to try and make some noise in the heavyweight division and looking towards the future. The division is heating up and I'm going to do my best to be a part of it and make a big statement at heavyweight in 2017.