By Troy Ondrizek
On February 8th, the cruiserweight division will make a bold statement to the boxing world via Darnell Wilson (22-5-3, 19KOs) and BJ Flores (20-0-1, 13KOs). ESPN will televise. In what has turned out to be one of the most anticipated fights in their respective division , title or not, Flores took the time to talk with BoxingScene.com about his upcoming IBF eliminator with Wilson.
BoxingScene.com: Hello BJ, nice to hear from you again and thanks for talking to us.
Flores: No problem, always a pleasure.
BoxingScene.com: So first off, how is your sparring going in preparation for this fight?
Flores: Great man, great. I went twelve-rounds today. I worked against Hasim Rahman, the Kazakhstanian Olympian, and two other guys. It’s been great work, I went ten rounds Wednesday as well and have no issues with stamina or anything.
BoxingScene.com: Are you disappointed that this fight is an eliminator for the IBF’s #2 spot and not the mandatory like what was originally promised to you?
Flores: Well of course I am, but I can’t worry about that. This is the biggest opportunity in my career. I have been waiting for a fight like this to come around. It would be nice if it was the mandatory position, but to fight a fighter who is widely known like Darnell is and have the chance to make a strong statement on cable television is the key.
BoxingScene.com: Why has it taken so long for you to get a fight of this magnitude?
Flores: Well I have only been a fighter for four years so it’s not that long. Well five years in May, but some guys don’t even start to fight decent guys until this point in their careers let alone fights of this magnitude. So much was expected of me at heavyweight when I came out and then at cruiserweight when I moved down. We got off quick and then hit a few glitches but I feel like I’m hitting my stride just now. I’m only 28-years-old and there is a lot of time for me in this sport.
BoxingScene.com: Every fighter goes through gameplans and visualizes how many different ways they can win a fight so in your own head, how is this fight going down?
Flores: Easy, I’m going to come out and meet Wilson in the middle of the ring and trade shots. I’m not afraid of him, sure he has power but so do I. I will then move and make him work for three minutes of every round. I am the better boxer and will use that to my advantage. Nwodo had success on the outside but lost focus and got caught. I will use my feet to box him and my right hand will hurt him. I have the faster shorter punches and I used to be a heavyweight so I can punch.
BoxingScene.com: I was on the phone with a friend of mine earlier who used to train at Wilson’s gym. I asked him if there was anything he wanted to ask you and he jokingly said to ask you what you are going to do with your career after Darnell knocks you out.
Flores: What, man you ask him what he thinks after his man is unconscious on the 8th.
BoxingScene.com: Seriously though BJ, if you lose, what will that do for your career?
Flores: Man I’m not going to answer that. There is no way I am losing this fight. I guarantee you I will win. I am focused for this fight, I know every way I can win this fight and I know how I’m going to go about my business. I’m not even hearing this question, I’m not going to lose, and it’s not a possibility. I’m not going to answer that question.
BoxingScene.com: Okay, how about a question that seems better suited to you, if you win, what will this fight do for your career?
Flores: So many things will happen. The things I have lined up I won’t even talk about, because I don’t want to get ahead of myself. But a win over Darnell Wilson who is known and respected from his big knockout wins on ESPN puts me up into the top of cruiserweight contenders. It will be an exciting fight, and it will put me out to a new audience. I’ve fought on ESPN before, but not on this stage.
BoxingScene.com: Everyone knows Darnell’s power and his bully-ish attack style. Against Chris Thomas you seemed to lose focus late and he caught you with a nice combo and floored you. Do you think with Wilson’s pressure and power, you will be able to stay focused and accomplish your task of victory?
Flores: Everyone talks of Wilson’s power, yet they forget five guys have beaten him. He isn’t unbeatable. He has scored some nice wins on TV and I give him respect for that, but he can’t fight like I can. People think he carries his power late into fights, sure he knocked Nwodo out late and I also give him respect for that but that’s the only time he won late. I’m not worried about that. My team and I have his last four fights on tape and we know what to expect. Styles make fights we all know that and his style is perfect for me. I can move and box and I am strong. He comes forward and is easily found with big shots. A looping left hook from Chris Thomas is nothing like what Darnell will bring to the ring. They are two completely different fighters. One is a long lean guy, the other a short puncher. What happened with Thomas was a mistake that won’t happen in this fight. What Wilson brings into the ring is perfect for me. His style is just tailor-made for me, what can I say.
He comes out strong at first and wears down, his punch count drops to 25 or so shots a round and he has to take breaks. I’m coming at him, I’m throwing at least double those shots and he won’t be able to rest. As soon as we see he is tired my right hand will end this fight. I will fight him early, wear him down in the middle, and stop him late. I have a lot of respect for Darnell Wilson; don’t get me wrong he has earned his respect with his performances in the ring. I respect him for fighting me; it’s a bad management move by his team for I am too dangerous. But I respect Darnell for being willing to fight a lower rated fighter, but I will grab the brass ring and win this fight. I have never been in such good shape or so focused in my life.
BoxingScene.com: Any last words for your current fans or for those who you might acquire after Feb. 8th?
Flores: Yes definitely, everyone needs to tune in on ESPN Feb. 8th to see myself and Darnell Wilson give it our all in a great fight. A lot of people know who Darnell Wilson is because of his TV fights, but after Friday night everyone will know who I am.
I would like to take thank BJ for talking with us before the biggest bout of his career. The division has had some good fights of late and the title fights are generating some great buzz around the sport. But when an eliminator can create this much anticipation because of the two combatants, that speaks volumes of what these two men bring to the viewers. Tune in on February to see a legitimate top-five cruiserweight contender come out of this affair.
