He Fights Like A Man
There is a river of boxing talent that runs two hundred miles through the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley from Avenal to Stockton where young men dream of glory won with their own hands and the right to wear gaudily outlandish title belts to prove their point. Much of this valley is on the wrong side of the tracks. Some young boxers stay on the wrong side, but a rare few have the potential to climb far above it. One such is Gabriel, “The Messenger” – Gabriel Flores, Jr.
“I’ve had a vision since I was seven years old,” said Gabriel, “I love this sport, ever since I was a kid, every day I wake up and can’t wait to get to the gym.” At sixteen, Gabe Junior has been boxing for more than half his life. Six months ago he became the youngest amateur boxer ever signed to a professional contract by Top Rank, Inc. It required a special license issued by the Nevada Gaming Commission for Flores to fight on May 5th, five days after his 17th birthday. The Stockton native is ranked the number one amateur boxer in the United States in the lightweight division, in fact, he’s been ranked number one in various divisions since he was 11-years old. He’s won 12 National Championships on the way to a 91-and-7 record as an amateur. “I remember every loss,” he said, “and I’ve learned from them.”
“We talk a lot about the mental aspect of boxing, of course,” explained his father, Gabriel Flores, Sr., who also trains, manages and home schools the young prospect, “but also every other aspect of life.” It’s those other aspects that carry such meaning because Gabe Sr. has street cred, “To tell the truth, I was deep into gangs. The gang stuff that I went through actually helps. When I explain the right way to do things my words have
a little more meaning for him and he listens.” For several years Gabriel Flores (Senior) ran with an East Stockton gang affiliated with the Norteños. He served 18 months at the California Youth Authority for his part in a 1994 Sacramento car show shootout with a rival gang. When his first daughter was born, he decided to walk away from gang life and never looked back.
“You gotta make sacrifices for the most beautiful things in life,” said Gabe Junior with wisdom beyond his years. He is willing to make the sacrifice required of any serious boxer because he is fighting for such a valuable prize, “I had my mother taken from me when I was twelve years old; she was my biggest fan. And so, you know, if I can fight and have a big voice to speak out against violence, I’ve gotta let (youth) know that there is more (in Stockton) than just gangs and violence.” What’s he fighting for? How about Peace In The Valley?
Once known as Mudville, Stockton is routinely pegged as among the ten most violent cities in America. Four years ago, on March 17th, 2013, his mother, Juanita Maldonado, was shot in the back at a birthday party less than two miles from Los Gallos Boxing Academy, where her son now trains each day. She was wounded on a Sunday and died the next day. She was 35. No arrests have ever been made. Somehow, he has managed to channel his rage and sorrow and the confusion of a teenager into something bigger and better; something similar to the franchise carved out by his distant mentor, Jose Ramirez, his elder by eight years. From the start, Jose Ramirez dedicated his boxing career to a series of “Fights For Water,” to increase awareness about California’s searing five-year long drought. Ramirez (19-0) headlines the Cinco de Mayo card at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center with a bout against 32-year old Jake Giuriceo (20-5-1) from Youngstown, Ohio. Gabriel Flores, Jr. will debut in a lightweight match on that same card. The fight will be televised nationally on UniMas.
Every kid who emerges from a neighborhood gym to stand in the bright glare of the professional arena possesses certain requisite skills to make a credible showing. Most can last at least a few rounds, or a few fights, or a few years. Yet, once in a blue moon a greater prospect steps up and you can tell at first glance that this one is going to be the one to watch. His father once recalled that Cuban boxers, said to be the best in the world at footwork, marveled at the young fighter’s dance during a series of amateur fights. The footwork comes naturally to young Gabe. So does the jab, “I feel it’s my best punch, I feel I can win a lot of fights with it.” His father said it’s all that and more, “speed and accuracy, sure, but his biggest strength is his mind and how he is able to anticipate his opponent’s punches.”
At 5′ 10″ and 138 pounds, the prodigy is fresh faced, speed-of-light fast, focused and primed to peak when his old man tells him to. To prepare for his debut he has sparred with world champions Jesse Magdaleno and Oscar Valdez, and Olympian Michael Conlan. While his friends indulge in cheeseburgers, tacos, shakes and fries, this high school junior sticks religiously to egg whites and turkey sausage for breakfast, protein shakes after midday workouts, then fish or chicken and veggies for dinner. He seems unconcerned about missing the many things his high school chums are up to, his sights are fixed much higher. Use a little imagination and you see a young Muhammad Ali in his mischievous half grin.
“I consider myself blessed for the strong team I have behind me and I’m so grateful for it.” Said Gabe recently.
His father goes deeper. He credits promoter Rick Mirigian for helping to arrange the partnership with Top Rank, “I think Rick is a rare kind of person. I call him for any kind of advice about the business.” Mirigian is widely known for shaping the career of Jose Ramirez, “But, yeah, Rick is our advisor for business purposes and he does a tremendous job. I think he’s the best in the business.”
“For a 16-year old to have taken all that life has thrown at him and make it positive and approach life with passion and a purpose still is a miracle.” Replied Mirigian, “Flores is 209 tough. He is truly meant for something bigger than boxing and he is a special young man with an angel around him.”
Yes, Gabriel, the Archangel, was The Messenger. Gabriel, the boxer from Stockton, plans to deliver the first of many messages in the ring on Cinco de Mayo.