Tuesday 11 October 2016 13:51, UK
Tony Bellew’s opponent BJ Flores has been on religious missions, and his grandfather survived a plane crash. Wait, what?
Flores has irritated Bellew, hasn't he?
You bet. Flores is a long-time training partner of David Haye, who has been going back-and-forth with Bellew for a while. Flores helped Haye with sparring for the Brit's world title fights against John Ruiz and Wladimir Klitschko. Coupled with some social media jibes, Flores has got under Bellew's skin.
Flores is American, right? But he's obviously happy to fight abroad?
Born in California, raised in Missouri. But in 35 fights, he has ventured abroad just once - and lost to Danny Green in Australia.
Tell us about his religious missions…
He turned down prestigious boxing and football scholarships at major American colleges to undertake a two-year expedition in Mexico, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Flores was only 18 at the time, and had just won the heavyweight Golden Gloves tournament. But his commitment to his church was more important, and he put his athletic career on hold to help in poverty-stricken areas.
And his grandfather crashed a plane? But survived?
Ralph Flores survived for 49 days in the Canadian wilderness after crashing his two-person aeroplane in 1963. His ordeal, in sub-zero temperatures, became the plot for a film called ‘Hey, I’m Alive’.
So he's from a tough family. But this is his first world title fight?
Yes, although he narrowly lost for the WBA interim cruiserweight title last year. Taking on Beibut Shumenov (a beaten opponent of Bernard Hopkins), Flores dropped a unanimous decision. Challenging Bellew will be his first crack at a full world title.
He's 37 - so he's not been in a rush?
Flores has been quite inactive - he's fought once in 2016 so far, beating Roberto Santos in a six-round decision. His defeat to Shumenov was his only outing of 2015. His world rankings have suffered as a result, but Flores has retained an element of mystery.
What's he been doing outside of the ring?
Similarly to Sky Sports' very own Bellew, Flores has been impressive behind the microphone as a pundit and analyst on American television. He even covered this summer's Olympics as a broadcaster.
I've got time for a couple more rare facts about Flores…
He threatened to become a MMA fighter in 2010 but that never came to fruition. And his second pro boxing match took place at the Trump Taj Mahal - the casino that went bust this week due to Atlantic City's declining popularity as a tourist resort.
What should Bellew watch out for?
Flores has never been stopped, and has lost twice in 35 fights. The Americans regard him as talented and fast, and a thinking man's boxer. Whether his fitness and toughness can stand up to Bellew, we'll soon find out…
Watch Tony Bellew defends his WBC cruiserweight world title against BJ Flores live on Saturday night, from 8.00pm, on Sky Sports 2.
