Fighting Roberto Garcia THIS Friday!

Jose Alfredo “Shibata” Flores wants to be a champion again.

After an eight-year hiatus to pursue a singing career, the southpaw fought twice last year in his current bid to become a world titlist again.

This Friday, March 25 at the Commerce Casino, Flores (45-10, 26 KOs) will be taking on Wild Card’s Roberto “La Amenaza” Garcia (28-3, 21 KOs) as the main attraction on the “All In” card presented by All Star Promotions. The night, in association with Budweiser and in conjunction with Vince Young, will feature live pro boxing along with both pro and amateur MMA fights.

The Flores-Garcia clash has received a huge amount of interest in the fight community, especially in Southern California. “In 16 years of promoting, this is the most tickets we’ve ever sold–AND in the fastest amount of time!” All Star promoter Ed Holmes and Matchmaker Pete Hironaka told the audience in attendance at the fight kickoff.

I had a chance to catch up with Shibata Flores, who hails from Sonora, Mexico, at their media mixer held recently at the same poker casino where the bouts will take place. The always-friendly Shibata came in with his wife Maria Isabel Peña, along with a large and energetic cheering section including their friends Soledad, Elizabeth, Alejandra, Gigi, Ruth and several others. He’s got a new trainer in Eddie Sanchez, a new team–and a new outlook in his current comeback.

And after his October victory over Ishwar Amador, the 38-year-old is looking to prove he can still bang with the best of them.

Flores says he will give it a go in the fight game for another two to three years. In fact, in previous conversations, he told me he wanted to fight Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Yori Boy Campas. At the “All In” event, I asked him if he still feels the same way? “Yes! I will fight anyone; I want the top contenders,” he confirmed. “I’ll fight anyone at 154-156.” Flores also told me he recently sparred with Sergei Dzinziruk, who just fought WBC belt holder Sergio Martinez.

After first turning pro in 1990, the tall light middleweight has fought the likes of Fernando Vargas, Paul Vaden, Carlos Bojorquez, Raul Marquez, Young Dick Tiger, Verno Phillips, among countless others. A former NABA and USBA Champion, Flores battled many times in Mexico and was a fixture at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles.

But being born in Navojoa, just how did Jose Flores get tagged with the Asian-sounding nickname of “Shibata”? With his fair skin and almond eyes, he explains his connections to the Eastern culture. In previous meeting with Team Flores, they mentioned that there are a lot of Japanese colonies in Sonora. “My great grandfather was Japanese!” the fighter shares. “Our family name was Seiko.” But the genes of the Flores clan include some interesting DNA. “His kids are all blonde blue-eyed,” wife Maria Isabel tells me with a laugh. “And his brothers are all really, really tall!” Shibata, 6′ 1″, says of his siblings, “There’s Ramon, Raquet and the ‘baby’ Leo, who is 6′ 4″!”

Flores was a very popular draw in his home country and beyond and still has a loyal fan base who has followed the warrior for over two decades.

Back in the day, the warriors went toe to toe for 15 rounds. Shibata holds an interesting place in boxing history in this changing of the rules. Flores’ title fight versus Eric Holland was the last middleweight championship bout to go 15 rounds. Shibata won this 1997 fight in a split decision.

Now he’s ready to trade leather once again as squares off against 30-year-old Roberto Garcia, who is best known for going the distance with Antonio Margarito in May of last year. Their fight in Aguascaliente, Mexico was the first time the “Tijuana Tornado” laced up after his California license revocation was upheld. Garcia went ten rounds with Margarito but was defeated in a unanimous decision.

Both Garcia and Flores have a lot to prove come Friday night. Much is at stake for the two sluggers. For the ring veteran Flores, it’s one step closer to his goal of another title fight. For Garcia, it’s another notch in his contender rankings inching closer to a title shot as well. At the news conference, I notice that there are fight postcards placed all around the tables. Shouting out “All In,” the upcoming clash will have both boxers leaving everything on the table–and in the ring.

Both gladiators are planning to bring it Friday in what many say should be a competitive matchup.

Listen in on the following conversation as Shibata says he’s putting down the mic as a singer and picking up the gloves once again as a boxer.

Michele Chong: Hi Shibata. So you’ve spent the last few years as a singer, right?

Shibata Flores: (Smiles) Yes! I’ve been performing as a singer. But now I am back in boxing for two or three more years. I want to be a world champion again!

MC: You have a new team with you now?

SF: I am working with Sanchez Sportz; my trainer is Eddie Sanchez.

MC: And how’s training camp been?

SF: Everything is very good. I feel strong; I have speed. I’ve been watching a lot of videos too, like Manny Pacquiao. I like his style. He’s a southpaw and I’m a southpaw too. He’s my main inspiration and Sergio Martinez too–“Maravilla,” he’s 36 years old. And Bernard Hopkins is 46 and they’re still champs! I’m 38 (laughs) so they are my inspiration!

MC: You’ve watched the Margarito-Garcia bout too?

SF: I have watched it a couple of times but I watch more like the Manny Pacquiao workout and also Joe Calzaghe, the super middleweight. Those are what I focus on, class fighters.

MC: In the Margarito fight, Garcia did go the distance. What do you think his best strengths are?

SF: I’ve seen Roberto Garcia fight a couple of times; he’s a very hard fighter. He’s strong–and he’s younger than me. I like him. If he wins this fight, he fights for a world title. If I win, I am also closer to a fight for a title. So we are both hungry boxers now.

MC: What’s your prediction?

SF: I think I’m gonna win! I’m gonna work on my punches. He’s strong but I’m strong too. No prediction other than I’m gonna win.

MC: You’ve been a pro for for over 20 years, what would you like to say to your longtime supporters?

SF: I appreciate that they are coming to this fight, March 25th. And whatever they want…I will sing for them and sign autograph pictures too!

MC: (Laughs) After your fight, you’re going to sing for them?

SF: (Nods and laughs) Yes! I will sing too.

MC: Okay, good luck, Shibata.

SF: Thank you!

Shibata Flores is going “All In” against the tough Roberto Garcia this Friday night in Commerce.

Who will win the duel?

Let the chips fall where they may and let the best man win.

All-Star Promotions
“All In” Boxing and MMA show
Friday, March 25
Commerce Casino
Tickets: (323) 816-6200

Photos by Michele Chong