By Francisco Salazar
Gabriel Flores Jr. graduated from Cesar Chavez High School in his hometown of Stockton, California last week.
While his classmates will begin their summer vacations by working jobs, partying, or lounging by the pool, Flores will continue making a name for himself and solidify his standing as a legit prospect.
Flores will face Jorge Rojas (4-3-1, 2 KOs) of Mexico in a six round bout Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The fight will take place on the Jeff Horn-Terence Crawford undercard and well air live on ESPN+ (6:30 p.m. ET/ 3:30 p.m. PT).
The 18-year-old Flores (7-0, 5 knockouts), who made his pro debut four days after turning 17 years of age, is coming off a one-sided six round decision over Alejandro Rochin on Apr. 20 in Las Vegas. Those who manage Flores' career have kept him active, with the Rojas fight marking his third fight of 2018 after fighting five times in 2017.
Even at a young age and with the limited amount of fights as a pro, Flores has so far impressed with his improving skill-set and legit power he has displayed in recent fights. His maturity in and out of the ring are off the charts.
"i have to take (my career) seriously," Flores told Boxingscene.com recently. "I'm an 18-year-old, but I made my pro debut when I was 17 and I was fighting men who are 29, 30 years old. I know what I'm getting myself into, but I knew that I was ready. I just got to live day-by-day and enjoy every moment of my pro career."
Flores, who is trained by his father Gabriel, Sr., had an extensive amateur background, fighting in and winning prestigious tournaments in and around Stockton and abroad.
After contemplating whether to continue his amateur career, Flores decided to turn pro, signing a promotional contract with Top Rank at the age of 16, the youngest to ever do so in boxing. With a pro style that will only get better, turning pro was a no-brainer for Flores.
"I made the best decision turning pro," said Flores. "I don't regret signing that contract and turning pro. The (2016) Olympics just wasn't for me. I was 16 (years old) at the time. I became the youngest signed fighter by signing with Top Rank. To me, something that hadn't happened before compared to fighting in the Olympics, I'll take something I'm very proud of and that is signing with Top Rank."
Aside from punching power, Flores has showed exceptional maturity and the ability to not waste extra punches during a fight.
"Picking my shots. I pick my punches better now than when I was an amateur. Ever since I've been young, my father has always had me fight a pro style. We were having trouble in the amateurs because we were getting robbed a lot (decisions). These fighters were throwing a lot of punches, but they were missing all of them. I would connect with two, three, or four punches, and everyone would see I would win these rounds. So when it came to the pros, it wasn't that hard to make that adjustment."
Flores is expected to fight twice again this summer, should he come out victorious on Saturday night, as expected.
Undaunted with some constructive criticism that may come his way throughout his career, or unforeseen challenges that may occur, Flores believes his career will gain further momentum. The career of Jose Ramirez, who has achieved superstar status throughout California's San Joaquin (Central) Valley, is something Flores wishes to attain.
"It's a blessing. I just have to meet all expectations that I have for myself and what others have for me. I have to go out there and show what I'm capable and people take me seriously."
"That's what it is. I take it day-by-day. I'm very grateful and I stay motivated. I look at the big picture and I know why I'm here (in the sport of boxing). I'm always motivated and I know what I'm here more. I see Jose Ramirez and that motivates me more to make a name for myself."
Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing