23-year-old professional boxer Gabriel Flores Jr., once a promising 14-year-old fighter, is set to return to his roots this Saturday.
For the first time in four years, Flores will step into the ring at Stockton Arena, his hometown battleground, ready to face Derrick Murray in an eight-round lightweight bout.
Flores, who signed his first professional contract at the tender age of 16, last graced the Stockton Arena in May 2019, when he emerged victorious against Eduardo Pereira dos Reis. This time, he anticipates the backing of his hometown crowd. "It's amazing for the city. This is what the city needs," Flores said.
While gearing up for the match, Flores conveyed a heartfelt message to young aspirants, encouraging them to persevere through their struggles. "Keep on striving. The road to success is never a straight road. There's always bumps, there's always hills, there's always something you have to get over," Flores advised. "As long as you keep on swinging, you keep on going, no matter what your career is, you'll make it."
With the match just around the corner, Flores is all set to showcase his boxing finesse and strategic moves. His mantra for the forthcoming bout is simple: "I just have to go in there and be a boxer and be myself."
