By James Slater: Top-rated cruiserweight contender B.J Flores, 27-1-1(17) has won three fights in a row since travelling to Australia and unsuccessfully challenging IBO cruiser boss Danny Green in November of 2010. Still hungry, very much so, 33-year-old Flores has one particular guy on his mind right now: the unbeaten Lateef Kayode.
Kayode, recently seen boxing to a draw with Antonio Tarver (a fight many people saw the powerful Nigerian winning), says he wants a return with “The Magic Man.” However, Flores and a number of other people feel this return will never take place and, as Kayode said (in an interview with ESB) that he is open to fighting “anyone,” why not a fight with the talented, highly ranked Flores?
The winner would then be able to go on to a bigger fight, maybe even a world title shot. And Flores, as he made clear when getting in touch with me today, is sure a fight between he and the Freddie Roach-trained “Mr. Power” would be a big hit with the fans – fans in Springfield, Missouri in particular.
Here is what B.J had to say regarding the would-be fight:
“We want this fight with Lateef Kayode bad and we have wanted it for the longest time. It’s time these guys stepped up and made the fight! We can sell at least 4000 to 5000 tickets in Springfield, Missouri. The money is there. Tarver’s not going to give Kayode a rematch and all the cruiserweight champions are busy. He has to fight me!”
ESB: You would have a great chance of “schooling him”?
Flores: “He needs to be taken to school! I don’t think he has that good a chin. No-one has really tested it yet. Tarver hurt him a few times, but at his age, he just couldn’t muster up the energy to put more shots together. I will! I don’t get tired and I have been super-active over the last nine months. I really want this fight bad! I say to Kayode, ‘Step up! I sell tickets in Springfield – waaay more than you and any active cruiserweight. Who else can you fight right now?’”
Kayode, 18-0-1(14) can consider himself well and truly called out!
I hope to call B.J tomorrow and have a more in-depth talk with the man known as “El Peligroso.”