Damon Flores performs his best in the boxing ring when pressure is the highest and lights are the brightest.
The soon-to-be Cesar Chavez Jr. High eighth-grader relied on his talent and experience while claiming a gold medal for the second time at the USA Boxing National Junior Olympic Championships.
“I was confident,” 13-year-old Flores said. “I had a good feeling I was going to win based on how I felt and my training.”
“He’s got a plethora of fights,” said Damian Flores, Damon’s trainer and father. “He’s had 90 fights. He knows how to make adjustments.”
Flores added to his resume by finishing first overall in the Intermediate 13-to-14-year-old Male 106-pound Division at the June 22-29 event in Wichita, Kansas.
He claimed the Pee-Wee 8-year-old 65-pound title in 2019 in Wisconsin.
“It feels good to be a two-time, Jr. Olympic champion,” he said.
Flores won all four of his fights by unanimous decision at the 2024 USA Boxing National Junior Olympic Championships.
He collected wins against Hayden Hoopii (Spring Valley), Chasius Chhoeun (Rhode Island), Tameem Rafaie (Virginia) and Luis Loera (Texas).
“He progressed throughout the tournament,” Damian said.
Flores beat Hoopii in the finals.
“Damon fought him 29 days prior,” Damian said. “He knew what to do. The ring was a lot bigger. He moved around. He had more room to maneuver.”
Flores managed to claim gold despite injuring his left thumb against Loera.
“I was very concerned at first,” Damian said. “It turned purple. He was in pain.”
“It was hurting,” Damon said. “I just fought through it.”
Flores improved his overall record to 80-10.
The 12-time national champion has claimed four international and eight USA Boxing titles.
“He’s like an old car,” Damian said. “Once you get his motor going, he’s warmed up. He fires on all cylinders. He’s super smart and strong. He’s got power. It’s an equalizer.”
Damon trains at boxing gyms throughout California.
“He’s basically a man-child,” Damian said. “His sparring partners are grown men.”
Flores has climbed to No. 1 in the USA Boxing Intermediate 106-pound Male Rankings.
“I don’t feel pressure,” Damon said. “But I feel like I have a target when I fight. I enjoy boxing and winning.”
“He’s a decorated fighter,” Damian stated. “It starts with him having the drive, fortitude and aptitude. He trains properly and diets correctly.”
“I train every day,” Damon added. “I wake up at 4. I go running at 5 in the morning. I work out at 5 in the evening.”
Flores earned a spot on the Mexican Selection Team after winning his lone bout via stoppage in February in Mexicali. Mauro Flores, Damon’s deceased grandfather, resided in Mexico.
“Mexico is a big boxing country,” said Damian. “That’s another reason we’re going over there. By the time he’s 17 or 18, he’ll pick up the language. By the time he goes pro, he’ll have a fan base. It’s up to him if he wants to take his blessings and run with it or go another direction.”
Flores was introduced to the sport of boxing at the age of three.
Damon’s two older brothers, Damian Louis and Andre, were both accomplished youth fighters.
Their great grandfather Louie Jordan is in the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.
“He’s making a name for himself,” said Damian. “If he keeps doing what he’s doing, he’ll be a success story.”
“I’ve got a lot better over these years,” Damon stated. “I’ve worked on a lot of stuff. I feel like I fight smarter.”
Flores wants to represent the United States at the Summer Olympics in the future.
He also wants to compete at the professional level.
“He told me as a five year old, he wanted to be a world champion,” Damian said. “That’s what we’re pushing for. He’s ahead of the game already. God gave him a gift.”
