Flores puts down microphone, climbs back into boxing ring
It's an exclusive club, and B.J. Flores is a member.
There's a select group of boxers who moonlight as announcers while still competing in the ring. And Flores, who works for Premier Boxing Champions on NBC, puts his microphone aside today when he faces Beibut Shumenov of Las Vegas for the World Boxing Association interim cruiserweight title at the Palms on the NBC Sports Network.
"You can always learn from others and use some things you see to help you prepare for a big fight like this one," said Flores (31-1-1, 20 knockouts).
Like Paulie Malignaggi on Showtime/CBS, Roy Jones Jr., Andre Ward and Bernard Hopkins on HBO, Timothy Bradley on truTV and Antonio Tarver on Spike Television, Flores sees himself as a fighter first and a broadcaster second.
"Boxing's my passion," he said. "I still love to compete. And I still have a lot left to accomplish and a lot still to prove. (Saturday) is the first step.
"But working behind the microphone has been great. And for me, it’s a natural fit because I love to talk."
Flores, 36, said he tries to be fair when he criticizes his fellow competitors.
"You don't want to offend anyone, but at the same time, you have to be true to your audience," he said. "You don't want to cheat the fans."
Flores, who usually works with Marv Albert and Sugar Ray Leonard on the PBC on NBC telecast, initially found himself as a corner reporter. But he quickly was elevated to a seat at the announcers' table, and he said Albert and Leonard have been supportive.
"They're legends," he said. "They've been great to me. Marv told me all I need to do is be myself, which was great advice."
Flores had been working on NBCSN telecasts the past couple of years before PBC launched in March, so he already was developing his broadcasting resume. But he's become much more recognizable from his recent work on NBC, and for those who haven't had a chance to see Flores work inside the ring, tonight is their opportunity to watch him try to win a belt.
But it won't be easy. Shumenov (15-2, 10 KOs), the former world light heavyweight champion, can be a tough customer. He also has a world-class trainer working his corner in Ismael Salas. And he's motivated by trying to win a world title in a second weight division.
"He's an excellent fighter," Flores said. "He's a former world champion at light heavyweight. It's not like I'm fighting some scrub. He's an Olympian. He's very good. It's a great opportunity for me to face a high-level fighter."
Flores said he's ready to deal with Shumenov's herky-jerky style of punching.
"He's a very awkward guy, so we brought in a lot of different sparring partners to prepare," Flores said.
This is only Shumenov's second time fighting at cruiserweight, and Flores thinks his experience in the division gives him a distinct advantage.
"Twenty-five pounds is a big jump," he said. "It'll be interesting to see how Beibut handles it. He's fighting a real cruiserweight.
"We'll see what power he brings. It's different than hitting a light heavyweight. But I expect to see the best Shumenov."
In the 10-round co-feature, cruiserweight Jordan Shimmell (19-0, 16 KOs) will face Isiah Thomas (14-0, six KOs) for the World Boxing Council U.S. championship.
On the undercard, Las Vegas heavyweight Michael Hunter (8-0, five KOs) will meet Michael Bissett (9-7, seven KOs) in an eight-round bout, and cruiserweight Andrew Tabiti (10-0, 10 KOs) will face Roberto Santos (12-1, five KOs) in an eight-round bout.
The first bell is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. with the NBCSN telecast at 6.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.
