Photo/Courtesy Mary Ann Owen -World ranked cruiserweight BJ Flores returned to action at the Plaza Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas this past Friday night stopping Las Vegas native Matt Hicks at 2:50 of the third round. Fighting for the first time since winning a unanimous decision over Darnell Wilson last February, the well conditioned Flores used his steady jab, relentless body shots and sharp three punch combinations to dominate the fight over the heavier Hicks who weighed in at 256.
The stoppage from referee Kenny Bayless came after a barrage of power shots left Hicks unable to defend himself in a neutral corner.
With the win, Flores improved to 22-0-1 (14KO’s) while Hicks moved to 13-4-0 (12KO’s).
Most recently Flores has moved to #9 in the world rankings by Ring Magazine to go along with rankings of #2 by the IBF, #8 by the WBA, #11 by the WBC and #13 by the WBO.
“It’s nice to have the recognition by Ring Magazine which comes with their knowledgeable editorial staff and boxing journalists from around the world. This means there’s eight fighters ahead of me along with their champion Tomasz Adamek. And those are the guys I want to fight.”
In response to internet reports about fights which were recently offered to him and his upcoming plans, Flores said, “Yes, I’ve been offered fights recently against some of the top fighters in boxing, but I will not take a fight on a few days notice and my team will not accept a lowball offer to fight for the championship. There is no rush. Our title shot will come this year no matter what….. We have potential deals with top fighters right now that are being worked on”
Flores is scheduled to make the first of numerous appearances on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights in the studio with host Brian Kenny on Friday, February 6th.
“I’m glad to get back in action and I’m looking to fight for a world title in 2009” said Flores.
Figueroa following in path of Ward and Malignaggi
Veteran boxing manager Sal LoNano has brought his fighter, NABF light welterweight champion Frankie “El Gato” Figueroa (20-2, 13 KOs), in from his Bronx home to the Boston area for a five-week training program at the famed Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning in Winchester, Massachusetts.
LoNano is having Figueroa follow in the same path two of his better known fighters, “Irish” Micky Ward and former IBF light welterweight champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi, also traveled with tremendous results.
“In Frankie’s last few fights I noticed something wrong on his right side,” LoNano explained. “He was switching around to the right side (Figueroa is a southpaw) because he was in some pain I brought Micky and Paulie to Boyle’s because it’s the best finding physical weaknesses of pro athletes. A physical therapist evaluated Frankie and found the problem – intertwined cartilage in his right knee and a weak back. I knew something was wrong and it’s great they found out what I knew was wrong from watching him in fights and the gym.
“Boyle’s is the place to go for any athlete trying to get back on the right track. ‘Gato’ will work there and get strong, just like Micky and Paulie did, developing muscles not normally used in the fight game. For example, when Frankie threw a jab it didn’t have any power behind it because of his knee and back. He’ll work with his trainer at Boyle’s to correct the problem. Frankie will be back 100-percent, not 80 or 90 percent, and be ready to go to training camp in Vero Beach (FL) for four weeks prior to his next fight.”
Figueroa will workout at Boyle’s three days a week, two hours a day, for five weeks. After each session he is massaged-out and off days Frankie does light boxing-related workouts at a nearby gym.
“After one day of testing I realized that they’re very serious professionals,” Frankie said. “I was surprised because I thought the testing would be a lot of jumping and pulling. I’m expecting a big improvement and increases in my power, balance and speed. I’m for any edge that will help me reach my goal of becoming the undisputed light welterweight champion of the world. I take life as it comes; I’m humble but confident. I’ve won three titles (NABF & New York State light welterweight and WBC Intercontinental welterweight) but my job won’t be complete until I’m world champion. This strength-and-conditioning program is going to help me get there.”
Nicknamed “El Gato” – The Cat – because he was the only one quick enough to catch a cat that was a mascot at his original gym in the Bronx, Frankie is now promoted by Roy Jones. Jr’s Square Ring.
The 30-year-old Figueroa, a Puerto Rican-American born in Spanish Harlem, was 2-time New York City high school wrestler, 14-0 as a senior, who didn’t start boxing until eight years ago after taking advice from a friend. A U.S. Army veteran rated No. 5 by the IBF, as well as No. 10 by the WBC and No. 14 by the WBA. Figueroa hopes to be matched in April against former world champion Randall Bailey in an IBF light welterweight title eliminator.
Figueroa, coming off of an 8-round decision last November against veteran Emmanuel Augustus, has won his last 12 fights and is unbeaten for the past four-plus years.
For more information about Frankie Figueroa visit his web site at www.teamgato.com
Spivey gets NABO Title shot!
Dorin Spivey (35-5 28kos) will now meet WBO#6 Antonin Decarie (20-0 6kos) for Decarie’s NABO welterweight belt this Friday at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The bout will be the televised co-feature on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. Now managed by Pat Nelson, Spivey’s biggest wins to date have been against Michael ‘No Joke’ Stewart and Canadian Billy Irwin.”
Initially scheduled to fight for the NABA belt on December 30th, I never left the gym after that bout fell through. I am ready to take full advantage of this great opportunity,” Spivey stated. The card is promoted by Group Yvon Michel and features the IBF Junior Welterweight Title between Herman Ngoudjo (17-2) and Juan Urango (20-1) in the televised main event.
Edwards Crushes Bloy To Win British, Commonwealth Belts
Chris Edwards set the Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke, England ablaze with a torrid effort that reduced opponent Wayne Bloy to a shattered shell after three rounds of spirited combat to capture the vacant British and Commonwealth flyweight titles on Friday night on a Frank Maloney promotion.
The Stoke powerhouse was a two-fisted torrent of leather, battering the taller Bloy to both the head and body until there was simply no place for the big-hearted Grimsby boxer to hide. The 32 year old Edwards was a study in perpetual motion, sinking in hard shots to both the head and body as he propelled forward in a shockwave that unhinged his opponent.
Team Bloy kept their man in the corner rather than to face the increasingly one way traffic for the fourth frame, winning Edwards the 112 pound belts in what was a career best performance to date.
Chief support saw an excellent scrap at light middle with Lincoln based banger Kevin Hammond dropping local lad Jimmy Doherty in the first session with a perfect left hook. Doherty beat the count and worked his way back into the fight by the middle of the bout, but Hammond’s constant pressure, higher workrate and early knockdown produced a strong eight round points win, 78-74.
Flashy flyweight Ashley Sexton continued to impress as the Cheshunt prospect stopped opponent Fikret Remziev of Bulgaria in the second after winning every exchange with sparkling efficiency. The 21 year old phenom solidified his position as one of the top up and comers on the British scene.
English lightweight champion Scott Lawton of Stoke kept busy with a six round points win over Londoner Johnny Greaves in a non-title bout at light welter. Lawton was accurate both upstairs and down but wasn’t able to put away the durable southpaw, who used his experience to keep out of trouble in a contest that was scored 60-54.
In one of the most action-packed contests of the evening, local welterweight Scott Miller overcame stiff opposition from Manchester based Pole Tomasz Mazurkiewicz thru sheer effort, grinding out a six round points verdict, 59-54.
Promising heavyweight Larry Olubamiwo continued to shine as the gigantic East End slugger chinned opponent Mihai Iftode, stopping the Romanian import in the second round behind an impressive barrage of artillery.
Bantamweight prospect Paul Edwards showed flashes of brilliance while decisioning Slovakian super bantam southpaw Elemir Rafael in a four rounder, 40-36.
Heavyweight Alex Ibbs of Stoke pounded out a four round unanimous win, 40-36, against Steve Bodger of Blackburn.
Newcastle cruiserweight Jon-Lewis Dickinson defeated Doncaster man John Anthony 40-36 after four frames in a competitive scrap.
Featherweight prospect Samir Mouneimne of Hull was held to a draw in his professional debut by Walsall veteran Steve Gethin over four contentious rounds.
Sky Sports televised the action live.