Gabriel Flores Jr is ready to return home again.
His third appearance in Stockton, California, will see him as the main event and his father as the lead promoter as they prep for a March 16th fight at the Adventist Health Arena in Stockton, California.
A lot has changed over the course of his professional career. Originally the youngest fighter ever signed to Top Rank Inc. That was recently surpassed by Xander Zayas, who turned pro a month or so earlier. Flores was labeled a fighter destined for stardom, then a rough stretch occurred.
Flores Jr was defeated by now-IBF featherweight world champion Luis Alberto Lopez. Two fights later, he would lose to Giovani Cabrera. The telecast spoke as though it was a eulogy for his career.
Since the stinging defeat, Flores Jr. returned to Stockton, recording a highlight-reel knockout that was on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top-Ten plays of the day.
“When it came to me getting signed [by Top Rank Inc.], getting blessed, it was amazing. Then here comes another obstacle in my way, my first loss.”
“What is funny is people ask me, ‘How does this affect you?’ I almost laugh when they ask me that question because those people don’t know me, and that question lets you know they don’t know me. I come from where my biggest loss was [losing my mom]. If anything were to damage me, it would be that, and I am still fighting today. That lets you know nothing can stop me.”
Flores Jr. tragically lost his mother in his childhood when a drive-by shooting led to the murder of his mother. This is also why Flores Jr.’s voice is so loud in the Stockton community. He comes from pain. He comes from hardship. Stockton is a tough town. Flores doesn’t just have the story; he lives the pain that most from Stockton feel.
It is part of why Flores’ connection to the city of Stockton is so real. Flores paused at the Stockton Sports Hall-of-Fame section on the second level when walking through the arena. He looked at each athlete pictured. It feels like what he means to Stockton; he will inevitably end up on the wall himself.
“We are proud to come back to Stockton and give big opportunities to fighters who might go unnoticed,” Flores Sr. told FightsATW.com, who is both a trainer and the lead promoter. “This is something we always wanted to do. Not just put on big events in Stockton but give back. We are excited for the type of show we are bringing back to the 209 for our first ever G-Squad Entertainment card.”
Flores Jr will be fighting for the lightweight WBA Intercontinental title.
The card will also see the birth of a potential superstar. A longtime friend of the Flores family, Lorenzo Powell, trained by Marty Chima of Danger Zone Boxing Gym in Sacramento, CA, will make his long-awaited debut.
Powell took to the stage to say the following after manager Rick Mirigian praised Powell, who he labeled as a potential breakout superstar in Northern California.
“I am grateful to Gabriel Flores. We have known each other for years. We have been going down to Stockton, going out to Vegas, and helping him get ready, but he has helped me to get to this point. I am always grateful to him. March 16th, there are going to be fireworks!”
Also, at the press conference, Fernando Vargas Sr. and Fernando Vargas Jr. who will be featured in the co-main event.
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