Highly touted 16-year-old lightweight prospect Gabriel Flores Jr. has become the youngest fighter that Top Rank® has ever signed. Flores Jr. agreed to a multi-year promotional contract with the company that is lead by Hall of Fame promoter, Bob Arum.
Flores Jr., who’s family is from Guadalajara, Mexico, was born and raised in Stockton, California, and will leave behind an amateur record of 91 wins and just 7 losses. The young fighter conquered 12 National Championships as an amateur. He is currently the No. 1 ranked fighter in the world in his division according to the Michael Smiths Rankings. Flores Jr. made the US Team in back to back occasions in 2015 and 2016. He has been ranked number #1 in the US since he was 11 years old.
"I know everyone is taking a big chance on me and I will look to exceed all the expectations placed on me as I love this sport and can’t wait to bring big fights to my city and change that is needed, as I am truly blessed to have this opportunity,” said the 5'10, right-hand fighter, who’s favorite boxer of all time is Roy Jones Jr.
“Gabriel's incredible natural talents and charisma makes him the youngest fighter ever signed by Top Rank. With our development and guidance, the support and training of his father/trainer, and his maturity and dedication, this young man will be boxing's next jewel,” said Top Rank President, Todd Duboef.
Top Rank founder Bob Arum added, "We have very high expectations for this young man. I truly believe he is a future world champion and boxing star."
"Flores Jr. is special and special ones don't come along that often that have the complete package. He will be a world champion inside and out of the ring and will bring great change to his city and its issues. Right now he is as good as the Olympic class that just came out of the Rio Olympic Games. Gabriel has a solid family around him and I'm excited to work on this project, with Top Rank set to develop him, the future looks incredible," added promoter / advisor, Rick Mirigian.
Flores will be trained and managed by his father Gabriel Flores Sr. who has guided his son’s career from day one.
"We wanted to do something different, we knew the Olympics would be there but wanted to take a different approach to things, I knew Top Rank is the best at developing fighters long term and I saw what Rick Mirigian has done with Jose Ramirez inside and out of the ring and knew pairing them both together would be a success for my son, Mirigian's vision fit what our team wanted to do for our city of Stockton and my son’s future" said Flores Sr.
Flores Jr. wants to bring change to his city of Stockton, CA, one of the most violent cities in America. He lost his mom in a drive by shooting and has seen and lived the violence up close with his family and friends and is committed to bringing change to his community with putting together fights that will be advocating anti-violence and anti-bullying campaigns to his area on a National level.