FIGHTING FOR STOCKTON Y FAMILIA: GABRIEL FLORES JR. EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
GABE FLORES JR, IS NO ORDINARY TEEN. BY THE TIME HE HAD REACHED THE AGE OF 12, HE HAD ALREADY LOST HIS UNCLE AND HIS MOTHER TO THE STREETS OF STOCKTON. TWO SEPARATE ACTS OF VIOLENCE THAT NO ONE COULD REALLY UNDERSTAND, YET HE KEPT GOING. WITH THE HELP OF HIS FAMILY AND THE HELP OF HIS FATHER, GABE FLORES SR. AND HAS RECENTLY BECOME THE FIRST, YOUNGEST FIGHTER TO EVER BE SIGNED BY TOP RANK BOXING. MEET THE YOUNG PRO WHO REPRESENTS THE CITY OF STOCKTON AND IS TAKING OVER THE BOXING INDUSTRY.
KARIMA: How long have you been fighting/boxing?
GF: 10 years ago
KARIMA: How does it feel to be signed to Top Rank as the youngest fighter ever in the history of the organization? I mean, that's big time. They have promoted world class fighters like Muhammed Ali, Oscar De La Hoya, George Forman, Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather, and so many more.
GF: Yeah-it feels great. It’s something that hasn’t ever happened in history before me. It’s something new...it's never been done. I’m just really grateful for the opportunity I've been given. And I think that I’ve been given this opportunity, because of my skill, yes, but also because of my life. All of the events that have taken place and everything that I have had to overcome so far. You know, the story behind me
KARIMA: So, then who has been your greatest influence in life?
GF: My father is my greatest influence. You know, me and my pops have a vision of what we want to do in life and where we want to go. We remind each other every day. So, I would have to say it’s him.
KARIMA: Has your Dad always been your coach?
GF: Always and it’s great. I go to the gym and he’s my coach. I go home and he’s still my coach. We share the same goals, the same accomplishments. So, we have a great understanding.
KARIMA: Do you ever disagree with him?
GF: Of course. Anybody will have disagreements, but we talk it through just like anything else.
KARIMA: Have you always wanted to do what you are doing now?
Gabe: Yeah, ever since I was a kid. I was in Kindergarten and would get asked what I wanted to do. I would say, “boxer-I want to be a boxer.” They would ask me to draw it and I would. Ever since I was little, that’s all I can remember. I mean I did play t-ball as my first sport, but other than that, it was always about boxing for me.
PICTURED ABOVE: Gabe Flores Jr. With Gabe Flores Sr.
Photo credit: Jeep Touch
KARIMA: Okay, well let's talk about something you had to overcome-the "story behind you." It's our understanding that your Mom was murdered in Stockton a number of years ago in an act of senseless gang related violence and she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. How do you deal with that?
GF: Uh, you know, just like anything else. I just try to remember the good memories that we had. And you know I know she always wanted to see me fight. I know she wanted to see me accomplish my dreams. So, I fight for her, I fight for my city, for the kids, and the kids like me. I mean, of course it messed me up in my head a little bit, but you have to be strong minded and I have my Father here to talk it through with me.
KARIMA: We know that Stockton is your home. Tell us how you feel about the city.
GF: I love my city. I’m just trying to do everything that I can for it. The little things that I can do-like going over to my former school,-Roosevelt Elementary School. It's on the East side of Stockton. I like to go out there and talk to the kids about life, that there are consequences to their actions, and anything else that will help them stay away from joining gangs.
KARIMA: What do you want the people and the youth of Stockton to know?
GF: I want them to know that there is opportunities out there. Even more than they can imagine. College offers a lot. And no matter what they want to do, I’m pretty sure they’re good at something. They just need to find it. I found what I’m good at pretty early, but sometimes it takes time to find it. But no matter what-joining a gang will get you no where in life. You've got to live and in order to live, you have to make sure you eat. You want to enjoy your life and be happy. You can't do any of that if you're in a gang. It gets you no where.
KARIMA: So, Gabe-What keeps you going?
GF: Just a love for the sport. That’s why I came here in the first place, because I love boxing. And now I can support my family from it here and there. It’s everything I want, but most of all I just really love the sport.
KARIMA: Do you ever have days where you want to just go hang out with your friends or go to the mall instead of training?
GF: Sometimes-it’s rare, though. You got to know what you want in life. You have to picture your dream as the most beautiful thing in life and be willing to make those sacrifices for it.
KARIMA: Is there anything else you want to do aside from boxing or is it all about the fight life for you right now?
GF: Right now it’s all about the fight life and my family. You know, what I want is to be one of the greatest, work hard toward it, and have my family while I’m enjoying it.
KARIMA: What do you see yourself doing in 10 years from now?
GF: Ten years from here I see myself winning a world title-more than one actually, in different weight classes, and probably in the hall of fame. And just being an inspiration to the kids.
KARIMA: So, let's just say that you suddenly make your first million dollars...what's the FIRST thing you would do?
GF: Make sure that my family is okay. Make sure that they’re doing good…my sister and my brother and make sure that they’re eating, that they don’t have any trouble paying their bills. I mean, if I have a million dollars, then obviously I’m doing pretty well for myself. I’m well fed. So, I’ll look out for the ones near me and that’s what I will do.
KARIMA: Okay, what's the second?
GF: I’d probably treat myself. You know, who knows, because we’re not there yet. But there’s not much more I could want right now. I’m just focused and ready to fight.
KARIMA: Have to ask this question, because I promised one of your fans that I would...
What's your favorite thing to eat?
GF: I love Mexican food. My favorite dish is camarones rancheros from Nenas. I love that restaurant. The tortillas there-everything there. I just love everything about Mexican food.
KARIMA: Another fan question, do you have a girlfriend?
GF: No, I don’t
KARIMA: Getting back to boxing...how do you prepare for your fights? Do you ever watch videos of your opponents?
GF: Always, always. I look at their mistakes and how I can capitalize on them. I jump rope, I shadow box, I hit mits, I hit the weight bag, I hit the speed bag, I do everything. I run, because when you are a boxer-you have to become a runner too. You got to put all the work in.
KARIMA: Who is you favorite fighter and why?
GF: Roy Jones Jr., because he is one of the greatest of all times. I love how he could fight and how he could show boat-just everything he did.
KARIMA: Any advice for young aspiring athletes in Stockton?
GF: At points it’s going to feel like you can’t do it. There’s going to be times when you’re striving to reach your goals and you are going to feel like you can’t, but those are the times you need to push harder. Those are the times that are going to make you better and really make you successful.
KARIMA: How can people stay updated about you and your upcoming fights?
GF: On my social media. Instagram is g_squad_nation and twitter and facebook
Rephard.com for shirts
KARIMA: Thank you, Gabe and congratulations on your success. We look forward to seeing more and more of you in the coming days!
GF: Thank you.