Former two-time Cruiserweight world title challenger B .J. Flores (34-3-1, 21 KOs) has signed a new promotional contract with Dmitry Salita’s fast-rising Salita Promotions and will continue campaigning as a Heavyweight and is currently ranked No. 9 by the WBA.
Flores has won two straight bouts in 2017 since being stopped by then WBC world cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew in October of 2016.
Flores joins a growing stable of fighters at Salita Promotions which includes World champion Claressa Shields and top rated heavyweight Jarrell Miller. Flores most recently was part of Premier Boxing Champions where he pulled double duty by also working as a ringside analyst for the PBC cards on NBC and NBCSN and was a member of the broadcast team that called the boxing matches at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
“Dmitry is a smart, young man who is very business-oriented,” said Flores. “Since he was a fighter he understands where I am coming from and understands the different stages fighters are in.”
The 38-year-old Flores believes Salita can help land the bigger fights he has coveted since the loss to Bellew.
“I have the urgency for a big fight now,” said Flores. “No more tune up fights. Salita and I are going to come out the gate looking for a big fight in 2018. Dillian Whyte has a fight date coming up and needs an opponent.”
Whyte most recently won a unanimous decision over Robert Helenius on the Anthony Joshua-Carlos Takam undercard in Cardiff, Wales in October.
“I was going to say something to Dillian on Twitter, but he blocked me so I had to tweet at Eddie Hearn instead,” said Flores through a chuckle. “Dillian is a very tough fighter. He’s strong and big and it would be a great fight. I can’t get excited for small fights anymore. I don’t have time to waste right now. I took 2 small fights in Phoenix and didn’t do it to make money.”
Salita believes Flores will flourish in a talented heavyweight division laden big names.
“B.J. is one of the most experienced heavyweights in the world today,” said Salita. “B.J. has the athleticism, experience and skills to compete with any heavyweight today. Not having to force his body come down in weight will be the boost his body needs to bring it all together and be a force in the heavyweight division.”
Flores said his strength and conditioning coach has him at 225 pounds and he regrets not making the move sooner.
“I feel great and strong,” said Flores. “In this division the older guys do well so I am ready for a big year.”
Flores will also be watching closely as Bellew has rescheduled his rematch with David Haye for next May.
“If you look at my fight with Bellew I dominated the first two rounds,” said Flores. “I got hit with a very low blow and I just couldn’t recover, but before that it was a great fight.”
Header photo by Eric Jamison/AP
