Manuel Flores. Picture by Golden Boy Promotions
Manuel Flores is slowly growing from prospect to contender.
The unbeaten junior featherweight might make an enormous assertion, Thursday night time, as he faces Walter Santibanes at Fantasy Springs Resort On line casino in Indio, California. The ten-round bout will headline a “Golden Boy Struggle Evening” card that can stream dwell on DAZN, starting at 9 pm ET/ 6 pm PT.
At Wednesday’s weigh-in, Flores weighed in at 119.6 kilos. Santibanes weighed 118.8 kilos.
Flores (15-0, 11 knockouts) has constructed an unbeaten file dealing with modest opposition during the last couple of years. Flores took a step up in opposition in his most up-to-date bout, on February 23, defeating once-beaten Franklin Gonzalez, of Venezuela, by cut up determination. The win over Gonzalez snapped a string of six consecutive stoppage victories.
The 24-year-old has constructed a following within the space, as he resides in close by Coachella. The February 23 card on which Flores fought additionally occurred at Fantasy Springs Resort On line casino, in entrance of a sold-out crowd.
Manuel Flores (left) exchanges with Daniel Moncada. Picture by Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy Promotions
Eric Gomez, president of Golden Boy Promotions, believes Flores is a star within the making and his growth might result in an enormous battle, so long as Flores continues profitable.
“[Flores] is a highly regarded fighter,” Gomez informed The Ring in a current interview. “That is his hometown. Individuals get actually excited when he comes out [to fight]. He bought out his final present. We’re very excited to have him again.
“He’s getting higher and higher every outing. His timing is getting higher, his distance management, the mixtures. He’s letting his fingers go extra. He’s growing properly. I believe someday subsequent 12 months, he ought to have some kind of necessary battle towards a top-10 fighter.”
Santibanes (11-2, 2 KOs), who resides in Phoenix, Arizona, is on a roll of his personal. In his final 10 fights, Santibanes has received 9, with the opposite battle being a no-contest towards Benjamin Gomez on November 18.
In his most up-to-date bout, on December 16, Santibanes defeated once-beaten featherweight prospect Michael Chaise Nelson by majority determination.
Within the co-feature, Jelena Mrdjenovich will sq. off towards Colombia’s Calista Silgado in a 10-round featherweight bout.
Mrdjenovich and Silgado weighed in at 125.4 and 122.8 kilos, respectively.
The 40-year-old Mrdjenovich (41-12-2, 19 KOs), who resides in Edmonton, Canada, suffered back-to-back losses towards Erika Cruz, the latest battle of which occurred on September 3. Mrdjenovich misplaced the WBA featherweight title within the first battle in April 2021.
Mrdjenovich is at the moment ranked No. 3 by The Ring within the ladies’s rankings.
Silgado (21-16-4, 16 KOs) fought to a attract her final battle towards Kalliopi Kourouni on December 11.
The 35-year-old just lately challenged then-WBA junior light-weight titleholder Hyun Mi Choi in December 2020, shedding by unanimous determination. Silgado additionally has current losses to Melissa Oddessa Parker, Maureen Shea, Melissa St. Vil and Heather Hardy.
Junior light-weight prospect Daniel Garcia, of Denver, Colorado, will face Mexico’s Luis Could (22-16-1, 8 KOs) in a six-round bout. Garcia (5-0, 4 KOs) is managed by Joel De La Hoya.
Opening the DAZN stream is a four-round junior light-weight bout between Gael Cabrera, of Sonora, Mexico, and Tijuana’s Ulises Rosales (0-6). The 18-year-old Cabrera, an novice standout, shall be making his professional debut.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has coated boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He will be reached at [email protected]. You may as well observe Francisco on Twitter @FSalazarBoxing.
