Flores (21-0, 13 KO’s) displayed some early nerves in the first round, breathing through an open mouth, however, after the beginning stanza the Chandler, Arizona boxer established his rhythm and began landing well-timed shots against the ever pressing Wilson (22-6-3, 19 KO’s). At the 1:55 mark of the 2nd, Flores (200) tagged Wilson (200) with a long left hook to the jaw. Flores, 6’2″, was able to maintain his distance and then catch the shorter fighter Wilson, 5’10″, attempting to leap inside and land his heavy artillery.
With 17-seconds remaining in the 3rd, both men unloaded right hands together with Wilson’s punch sailing high and catching Flores, 29, atop his shoulder causing the taller fighter’s right knee to touch the canvas. However, referee Steve Smoger immediately signaled “no-knockdown” and the action continued. Moment’s later with Flores’ back on the ropes, the off balance Wilson, 33, landed a sweeping left hook but he ended up crashing hard to the canvas on his backside. Once again Smoger indicated that there was “no-knockdown” but the Delaware boxing fans appreciated the spirited exchanges.
Wilson continued to put pressure on the taller man in the middle rounds but Flores maintained just enough distance to connect with jolting punches to keep the “Ding-A-Ling” man from ringing his bell. With 22-seconds to go in the 7th, Flores caught Wilson in the corner and he connected with a solid left right combination that bounced off the older fighter’s jaw.
Sensing he was falling behind on points, Wilson scored early in the 8th, with a clean right uppercut to the chin followed by a short right to the chin. Wilson continued to outmuscle Flores along the ropes but he landed clubbing punches rather than clean shots and the taller and younger fighter was able to withstand the onslaught of leather. Flores returned to boxing and moving and Wilson simply didn’t let his hands go enough to win many rounds.
Flores continued to pile up points with snapping left jabs in the 9th, 10 and 11th rounds and do enough to neutralize his far more powerful opponent. Wilson unloaded in the 12th and was able to connect with several jolting hooks but while he won the round he was unable to do enough to hurt or drop the unbeaten cruiserweight from Arizona.
At the conclusion 12 entertaining rounds it was the classic case of speed and movement doing just enough to notch a victory over the stronger and more powerful veteran.
Undercard: In a contest between two light heavyweights, Dhafir “No Fear” Smith (20-16-6, 4 KO’s) scored an eight round unanimous decision over Rayco “War” Saunders (15-9-2, 7 KO’s). The 25-year-old Smith from Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, easily outpointed his opponent Saunders, fighting out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on all three judges’ scorecards. Judge Dewey LaRosa tallied 79-73, while Joseph Pasquale had it 77-75 and Dave Greer scored the bout 79-73, all for Mr. Smith.
Source: Cruiser Flores Outpoints Wilson
