BJ Flores looking to make noise at heavyweight on Saturday

BJ Flores is 39 years old, and, you maybe know, ditched the cruiserweight division for the heavyweight class, in this, the last chapter of a career started in 2003.

And no, he’s not bringing the same physical package to the over 200 pounds playground while just eating whatever he wants. The Arizona native, who is boxing Saturday night in Phoenix against 19-0 Trevor Bryan, says that he is in kick-ass condition, and ready to make a concerted run at the top of the division.

Flores (34-3-1), who has doing more color analysis on TV the last few years than in-ring action, will represent a step up for the unbeaten Bryan, a Schenectady, NY native whose best win is over Derric Rossy.

“I weigh 225! No sauna! No starvation! I’m in a great place right now,” Flores, who last fought in June 2017, told BLH.

“I’m not sure what it’s for, what title, but he’s rated No. 5 WBA and I’ve been wanting him for the last six months. A win over a big, undefeated fighter puts me in a good position. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve sparred over 100 rounds in last three months. We were supposed to fight in March and again in May. Kept falling through. The fight is at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix.”

A guy with the name recognition of Flores, a win here, in showy fashion, could propel him into something meaningful and financially rewarding right quick.

“Exactly. I need to beat somebody undefeated ASAP to get another good shot,” said Flores, who went to heavy after losing to cruiser Tony Bellew in 2016.

No, he’s not going to try and shit-talk his way to a title shot. He likes both Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder and likes very much how AJ carries himself, he tells me.

My three cents: Bryan has a record built on a pre-fab frame. The last two guys he beat have a combined record of 4-44, so he will enter the ring in AZ the underdog, against a man edging him mightily in experience. Expect Bryan to be learning what it’s like to lose Saturday.