Boxing News Boxing News
World ranked cruiserweight BJ Flores is preparing for a busy 2009 as he looks toward battles against either world champion Tomasz Adamek or former champion Wayne Braithwaite.
“Right now we’re in the negotiating stage for two possible fights,” said Flores. “Either I go straight to fighting the newly crowned champion Tomasz Adamek for an optional defense or I fight Wayne Braithwaite as part of an elimination process for the IBF title which Adamek just won from Steve Cunningham.
“Both are terrific fighters, but I believe I can beat either one and look forward to challenging myself against the very best in the division. At this point I’m starving for a fight. My preference is to face Adamek for the world title, but I’ll face whomever my team puts in front of me.”
With his last fight coming almost a year ago, Flores will be taking a much needed tune up bout on January 23 in Las Vegas. “This will give me a great opportunity to shake off a little ring rust and fully prepare for a battle against either Adamek or Braithwaite,” he said.
In regard to this past year, Flores said, “No question it’s been frustrating not having fought since beating Darnell Wilson back in February, but I’ve been training like a beast here in Las Vegas and truly feel like a well oiled machine.
“Between the boxing workouts and sparring along with the crossfit training I’ve been doing for the last six months, I’m probably in the best shape of my career.”
About the proposed bout which was offered to him on three days notice earlier this month against Enzo Maccarinelli, Flores said, “Big deal, he beat a small heavyweight journeyman. It proved nothing. Against Adamek or Braithwaite, we’ll do things professionally and I’ll be well prepared, at this point I could go to training camp to face Godzilla and be okay with it.”
BJ Flores wanted to thank his loyal team; managers Jerry Giuliano and Megan DeAndrea, trainer Jacob Chavez, adviser Lou Mesorano and his father Frank and the entire Flores family for all of their support.
Flores, 21-0-1 (13), is currently world ranked #2 by the IBF. # 5 by the WBO, #8 by the WBA and #13 by the WBC.
