On June 18th Gabriel Flores Jr. (17-0) will return to the ring against Josec Ruiz (21-2-3).  The rising lightweight prospect's bout will top a Top Rank card that will be broadcast by ESPN in its entirety. In the co-feature bout, former two-division champion Jose Pedraza will face Mikkel LesPierre.

With the covid-19 pandemic still running rampant, there won't be any fans in attendance.  While most fighters feed off of the energy of the crowd, Flores doesn't believe he will be affected.

"You know it is always about tunnel vision. I am not going to pay attention to that. I only have one thing on my mind and that is to put on a great performance and win," explained Flores.

While he is still only 20-years-old, Flores believes that a shot at a title will happen sooner rather than later.  2021 is a year that has been targeted for a big step up for the Stockton, Calif. native.

After having fought 5 times last year this will be his 2nd fight of 2020 and he hopes to get in at least 2 more before the year ends.  As his competition increases so does the likelihood of a crack at a belt next year.

"It can happen. It can come and I am going to be ready fight by fight. I am not in a rush but when I am 100% ready, I am going to go in there and snatch it. Right now we are just preparing for it," Flores told BoxingScene.com.

The fight against Ruiz will also be his first since adding respected boxing manager and hip hop icon James Prince to his team.  He believes that Prince, who also manages fighters such as Shakur Stevenson, Jarrell Miller, and Tony Yoka, is the man to take his career to the next level.

"J Prince makes a great, great part of my team. He brings a lot to my team. I am glad and grateful to have him as part of my team and it makes me even more excited to get back in the ring. We are more than a team, we are building an empire. I am going to rock the world, man," said Flores who is the first fighter of Mexican descent to be managed by Prince. "It is all about connections and that only makes it that much better. Yeah, that was one thing that caught my eye, caught my attention, so for sure it made it a little more special."

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