In part 2 of my special “On The Ropes” interview with cruiserweight contender and boxing commentator, BJ Flores, I get his his views on Floyd Mayweather Jr’s last fight with Marcos Maidana and a potential Mayweather-Pacquiao fight bout. BJ also speaks on Pacquiao’s chances of beating Floyd following his win over Chris Algieri, and who he ultimately would pick now to win that fight. Additionally Flores talks about his own future in the cruiserweight division and if he sees a title fight happening next year. Here is what BJ Flores had to say.
Jenna J: Do you think Floyd Mayweather is having added pressure put on him to have a fight with Pacquiao, being that the last two fights in the Showtime deal have by all accounts been losing money?
BJ Flores: I can’t comment on if there’s pressure from the network, I have no idea. I think those guys over there are probably very happy with the exposure — whether it’s translated to dollars immediately or not, Showtime is very happy with the boost in boxing they’ve received this year. Stephen Espinoza has said a lot of times that Floyd’s done a lot for the channel.
I know the media and the fans want to see it and a people’s champions, he wants to do what the people want him to do, with that being said, Floyd’s all about his business. Unless it makes sense financially, unless Floyd dictates the terms, I don’t think it’s gonna happen.
I think if they would have done the fight four or five years ago, it would have been a lot bigger of a fight, it would have sold a lot more and they both would have made a lot of money but sometimes you wait and you let a fight slip too long and I think that’s the case in this situation.
Manny Pacquiao has been knocked out, Floyd’s getting a little older now — he’s still the best, but his last fight, I shut it off because after six or seven rounds, every single time Maidana got close, he just immediately clinched him and the referee would just immediately break them. As a tactic, holding is definitely a part of boxing, but you can’t be that blatant about it and that obvious and let the referee break it up every single time the other fighter gets close.
Both guys are now more into what is financially beneficial for them instead of making good fights and it seems like even the referees are in on it. Floyd’s coming off a fight where he beat Maidana but every time he got close, he physically grabbed him and there’s not one other referee in the entire world that would let a fighter get away with as much blatant and obvious holding like Floyd is able to get away with. It kind of takes away from the fight and it kind of cheats the fans a little bit.
Jenna J: If the fight were to happen today, what actually happens? Floyd’s looked a little bit slower with his footwork in recent fights, Pacquiao has shown he still has the power. Do you think the result changes from what it was a year ago?
BJ Flores: I don’t know. I always liked Floyd in the fight. I always thought Floyd would just find a way to beat Manny, I still feel that way. I just don’t know how Pacquiao knocking down a 140lb’er six times, how that makes his case any stronger to beat Floyd Mayweather, it’s not even close to the same. I still like Floyd to beat Manny if they fight right now but I don’t really think it changes too much, I just think the fight has lost a lot of its luster. It is what it is.
Jenna J: We have an upcoming fight between Devon Alexander and Amir Khan, what do you think is gonna happen in that fight?
BJ Flores: I don’t know, I think it’s gonna be interesting. Devon’s gotta be able to counter punch Amir and that’s very difficult because Devon is a good counter puncher but Amir’s hand speed is so fast, it’s very tough.
With a guy like Amir, what you have to do is you have to time him, that’s what Danny Garcia was able to do and that’s what Lamont Peterson was able to do. They timed him and they put pressure on him. They didn’t try to wait and slip and counter, they would punch at the same time when Amir would punch because he is a little susceptible but his hand speed is so fast and he’s so athletic and tough, he’s very tough for anybody.
With this fight coming up, Devon’s gonna have to time him, he’s gonna have to keep pressure on him. I think Amir is the bigger of the two, I think Amir’s got the better hand speed and it’s probably very similar in punching power. Devon has to time Amir, he has to come over the top. He has to catch Amir when he’s punching otherwise I think Amir is gonna be too fast for him.
Jenna J: Do you think if Amir Khan is the winner of that fight, that he will have a fight with either Mayweather or Pacquiao?
BJ Flores: Yeah I think so. Who’s the real name to fight either one of those guys? I don’t think anyone is bending over backwards to see Floyd or Manny fight any one particular name if it’s not each other right now. I think a good win by Amir or by Devon would definitely put them in the running — especially if it’s Amir because he’s got a huge country behind him and that would definitely help the PPV sales and that makes a lot of sense business wise to do that.
If Devon beats Amir, they might want to see him against Shawn Porter again or against Keith Thurman and make those two guys really fight it out and see who the winner is and really build up either one of those guys names’ in the United States. If it’s Amir Khan, yes it makes a lot of sense because he’s got a huge following over in the UK.
Jenna J: Fans are wondering when they’re gonna see you back in the ring. When do you see yourself getting back in there?
BJ Flores: February, I will be back for sure on February.
Jenna J: What kind of opponent are you looking for there?
BJ Flores: Whoever they put in, it doesn’t mater. If the fight’s gonna be on NBC, I’d prefer it to be a top fifteen world rated guy, that way on my next fight I’m able and qualified to fight for some type of title. That’s really what I want and that’s what I’ve been telling the guys that I want.
There are quite a few guys in the WBO ratings, WBA, all the different ratings that we’re just looking at that I would love to fight and it’s just a question of whether they’ll come over here and what we got to do to get them over here. With al Haymon behind the plan now, it’s all gonna happen, I’m just gonna leave it in their hands and they’re gonna take care of it.
Shut up BJ Flores! You know nothing about boxing. To be the best fight the best!
That’s my boy … keep BJ-ing me!!!!
Ignorance BJ, ignorance. Floyd fought Marquez while Marquez was campaigning in the lower weight class of 135. And in one of your interviews you said Pacquiao doesn’t deserved to be in the ring with Mayweather cause he got a rumored 300k PPV in his last outing. What was Guerrero and Ortiz’ PPV buys before they fought him? dumbass
But what your leaving oUT dumbazz is that guerrero & Ortiz took what Mayweather gave them because Mayweather was and is the A-side, something Pacquaio needs v to understand. Tale whatever Mayweather is offering you then if you beat him. .. you’ll be the A-side. .. but Pacquiao and team Pacquiao knows there’s no chance of Pacquiao winning so their trying to get all that they can.
I said I don’t think having that type of a failure in a PPV means he should be calling out for Floyd. It’s clear which fighter can take a no name fighter to a PPV and sell. It’s not Pacquiao sadly.
BJ FLORES!!! ##$$$@@ You are nothing but a trying hard copy cat. You don’t know about boxing. Better change your sport to jumping jack!!
well tell your friend floyd to fight..if you believe your word.
This guy knows nothing, he almost always start his answers with” I don’t know” or I have no idea”. Bj ” Know Nothing” Flores. Who is this guy? I Don’t Know…
this guy is pathetic acting like he was a world champion and experience fighter he is a piece of shit nothing to prove yet
..I’ve never heAred this parrot before, who is he anywAy? This guy is a genius of misinformations and miscalculations. We have another useless Flomo here, nah!
I dont think any of use read the full interview. he wasnt being a mayweather nut hugger he actualy said floyds hugging everytime maidana got close made him shut the fight off an not watch it . . if manny wasnt the second biggest ppv an not earing 25million a fight then hes rigth beating algeri helps with nothing BUT manny has beaten all the top fighters an is a ppv so thats what makes him deserve the fight .. manny has done enough to get the fight . .
Ms. Jenna J (Author) – you’re wasting your time being a journalist taking interviews with non-sense people in boxing over and over again. BJ, you’re imbecile!
This “imbecile” has 26 dates on NBCsports next year.
BJ is right! No need for Floyd to fight Pacman! Period!!! Floyd can repay Showtime by fighting up to Bernard Hopkin’s age.
shut up BJ Flores where you came from???? you are nothing
And I don’t know how being mauled by Maidana who is slower than molasses and even slower than Heinz ketchup compares to a speedster like Manny.
To be honest, styles make fights and previous fights do not necessarily mean a thing for the next fight. I could care less today if they fought, but the public wants this fight badly. They will pay a king’s ransom for it.
It is so intense that celebrities and other fighters seem to be equally on either side. I used to be a huge fan of Floyd when he was fearless at 130 and 135 but feel he has found a way to “miss’ the best at 140 to 154. Either by “retiring” or finding dumb excuses not to face certain fighters. I am not saying he would have lost but he would have been better tested instead of facing the same slow plodding Latino/Mexican fighters.
I gradually began to like Manny because he finds a way to face bigger guy and he is a natural 130 fighter at best. I feel Floyd has the edge but until they get in the ring, who knows on that night. Marquez gave Manny fits, Bradley beat him easily and Manny easily beat Bradley …yes twice.
Cut the nonsense and just fight. As a fan this is what we should demand instead of making excuses about recent
PPV’s. Both guys numbers are down but will skyrocket if they meet and do it in the US. Foreman-Frazier, Foreman-Ali and Frazier Ali 3 all held overseas were not great PPV numbers because they were not in the US.
shut up BJ,youare nothing in boxing your idol floyd is ducking and so afraid to face Pacman,you don’t know nothing better keep your mouth CLOSED!!!!!!
Miss Jenna you and BJ Flores go together
non sense interview/article…ask credible/worthy guest next time.
poor bj your so pathetic.
I think BJ Flores is a lackey of Floyd Mayweather! This man I think doesn’t know at all about boxing! What more of a proof does he needs for Pacquiao’s credibility to fight Mayweather? Pacquiao is Fighter of the Decade with 8 Championship belts in 8 Weight Divisions! And who are those fighters beaten by Floyd? Are they near Pacquiao’s accomplishments? If BJ Flores has some brains inside his coconut shell, then he will realize the difference! Don’t put your boss or idol inside a closet to protect! Bring him outside of his shell & fight Paquiao! Then & only then you will see how Pacquiao will demolish Floyd!
No, I’m just stating my opinions, that are based on facts. Floyd sells fights better, and Pacquiao knocked down a 140lb fight who honestly was very lucky to have a title belt.
pathetic writer @JENNA J ur a piece of shit bitch.
I’m laughing at these comments this morning, especially the ones that are stating a professional boxer knows nothing about boxing…
You Pac-tards go ape shit anytime someone says anything positive about Floyd and it’s utterly ridiculous. You dip-shits worship the little steroid freak like like he’s your pimp you’re his stable of whores. Most don’t know shit about boxing or Pac-tard you just hate Floyd for what he represents, a young rich black man that made himself very rich by making smart business moves on his on without a high school diploma that some ivy league college grads couldn’t make. You all know it and hate to admit that this one 147lb kid from the ghetto has changed the way boxers handle this business forever. There is no more need for the Slob Arum slave master type promoters except for the Pac-tard poor business man boxer types that need to be told what to do. Floyds impact on boxing is monumental, the guy has demoralized fighters with his defense alone and has some the fastest hands and punch accuracy the ring has ever seen. In 10yrs you all will be saying how great of a business man and fighter Floyd was especially when every boxervwill mimicking his fighting style and budiness acumen. If Manny had the business brains Floyd had and made the same type of business moves you Pac-tards couldn’t stop wetting your panties.
Now to the fight itself, Manny is not a smart boxer and is very easy to dissect he only has obe style and that’s come forward and just throw punches. Floyd will set him up reoeatedky until ge decides to lay Pac-tard to rest for the night. There will be no holding from Floyd just target practice with hard sharp over hand rights all night. Roach is already laying the ground work by saying “Nanny gets knocked out because he takes chances” which pretty much says counter punching is an issue do when Floyd KO’s him Roach and your dumbssses will say he seen an opportunity and took when in reality what he didn’t see was that counter punch from Floyd and uts lights out Pac-tard.
Lol, took you 30 minutes to write this comment. Although you and your 1 friend appreciates your post, you know nothing about boxing,. Stfu
But you didn,t see the flashing straight left of Manny to Mayweathers left jaw!
You are a moron. Mayweather went.brokenonce and he wilk go broke again in less than 5 years afte4 he retires. Pacquiao on the othe hanf has a career in politics in his country.
Mayweather needs to fight him if he doesnt want to be laughed at by everyone for the rest of his life for not having done the fight .
By the way only boxer I have ever heard day he fears fo4 his health fighting another boxer is mayweather .
Jenna J, do not waste your time getting the views of such pathetic Guy- BJ Fores!, He knows nothing about boxing, You are loosing your credibility too, this guy does not know how to weigh/assess/balance/evaluate , things in boxing!
Who the F*ck is this guy ???
Yes fuck him..MF!!
No one knows you!! U haven’t done in or for boxing! !! Shut up
Well you know the truth Algirie is bigger than Mayweather!
Oscar is better than both of them combined
Mayweather is not fighter to be a fighter you always allow your opponents to fight you. Look at Pacquiao he never say no because he’s a warrior.”what is your profession nnnn??? Pacquiao “ohaaaaa!!!!”
Guys b.j. stand for is blow job
Threeline u are an idiot. Manny came from a very poor and poverty stricken area and because successful. He also learned another language and probably knows how to read better than floyd. Manny doesnt eve need all the money that floyd has. If he did it would just to education for under privileged kids and charities. Not a stupid golf cart for his own son who calls him a coward. Floyd is the best boxer but manny is the best fighter and this is a fight everyone wants to see. 2 of THE best to prove who is the best.
Look at all the flomos Bj has you on strings.
Who is this guy? Well idk him but brother stop kissing ass is not working and by the way the 140 pounds guy was bigger than floyd pac is 140 Floyd is 154 he’s bigger but package can take him down we all know that
Who gives a fuck we want them to fight that’s all !!
Cmon’.. stop arguing you all dumbass! Only we want to see whos the best of best..