Lindolfo Delgado faces Bryan Flores aiming to show his progress under Robert Garcia’s guidance
Lindolfo Delgado already was a top amateur and unbeaten prospect. A move to trainer Robert Garcia to take his skillset to the next level was a necessity to compete in the talent-rich junior welterweight division. The move has paid off dividends as he has been impressive and could be a win or two away from […]
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Lindolfo Delgado already was a top amateur and unbeaten prospect.
A move to trainer Robert Garcia to take his skillset to the next level was a necessity to compete in the talent-rich junior welterweight division. The move has paid off dividends as he has been impressive and could be a win or two away from fighting for a world title belt.
Delgado will face Bryan Flores Saturday night at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The 10-round bout will precede the main event bout between IBF world featherweight titleholder Luis ‘Venado’ Lopez and former world junior featherweight titleholder Angelo Leo.
Both fights will air live on ESPN (10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT).
Saturday’s clash between Delgado (20-0, 15 knockouts) and Flores is compelling in that both are aggressive boxer-punchers. Both are familiar with one another from their amateur days, and each has excelled in the pro ranks on their way to unblemished records.
Delgado is not overlooking Flores (26-0-1, 15 KOs) of Ciudad Juarez and anticipates an action fight for the fans to enjoy.
“It’s a very good fight,” Delgado told The Ring in a recent interview. “Bryan Flores is a very good fighter with a lot of experience. He sits down on his punches and also hits hard. This is a fight that will cause fireworks. We hope it goes well and in our favor. I prepared very well. I also feel strong. It will show in the fight what we have been working on.”
The 29-year-old Delgado, who resides in Linares, Mexico, currently fights under the Top Rank banner after signing on with Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) prior to making his pro debut in April 2017. Delgado represented Mexico at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Delgado has been under the guidance of Garcia for the last several months. He has had the fortune of not only working the mitts with Garcia, son Robert Garcia, Jr., but has had great sparring with the likes of former world unified titleholder Jose Ramirez, newly-crowned WBA world junior welterweight titleholder Jose Valenzuela, and lightweight contender Raymond Muratalla.
An improved skillset under the tutelage of Garcia and the quality sparring at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Riverside, California have benefited Delgado, who believes he has yet to hit his ceiling.
“Truthfully, we’ve prepared and worked well (with him),” said Delgado, who is ranked in the top 15 in two of boxing’s sanctioning bodies. “Robert’s team has supported me and has strengthened my desire to be the best in the sport. I’m more motivated. It’s not just Robert. It’s also his father, Eduardo. Robert’s son, ‘Pita’ (Robert Garcia, Jr.), and other trainers who are there in the gym. Felipe (Campa). They’ve assisted me. I’ve worked hard with them. I pay attention to what they tell me. And we have been improving after each fight.
“(Garcia’s training regimen) has helped me a lot. I had a different style in the amateurs. I came here with Robert and I began to sit down more on my punches. Having the basics have helped me, but the experience I gained fighting for many years as an amateur, including the Nuevo Leon team and the Mexican national team, helped me a lot. All these factors have allowed me to arrive at this point in my career. This has helped me a lot.”
Delgado also credits the camaraderie with other top fighters, some of whom are the best in the sport, as another benefit in his career.
“Realistically, you feel the support from everyone,” said Delgado. “From the trainers and the fighters. They tell you to keep it up and give it your all. Fight this way. Try this method. We help each other out. We don’t hold back when we spar. We respect each other and we help each other. I spoke to ‘Rayo’ (Jose Valenzuela), Raymond (Muratalla), (once-beaten) Oscar Duarte. Everyone helps you out and gives you advice. You grow as a fighter and help each other.”
The 140-pound division is a who’s who of world titleholders, contenders, unbeaten fighters, and top prospects. Delgado would likely already be in the top-10 of The Ring ratings, but is likely an impressive win or two away from cracking the top-10.
Delgado believes he is already in the mix amongst the best in the division, and is confident he can excel against any fighter, if given the opportunity.
“I’m glad to be in that division. It’s a hot division. It’s full of superstars. Truthfully, I believe I’m in the mix with those fighters. I just hope for an opportunity against any one of them to demonstrate and stay there, and to fight against (the rest of) them. For me, it would be a great opportunity. I think it would benefit me to fight them because I can give all of them a great fight.”
Delgado is confident of a win over Flores Saturday. He believes impressive victories will make new fans, and continue his ascent up the ladder of the 140-pound division.
“I want to keep demonstrating what I have been doing. I want to win in a beautiful way. In an impressive way. Obviously, fights become complicated, but I want to win in an impressive manner the way I’ve done it in past fights.
“I want fight fans to continue getting to know me and take a big step forward.”
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached at santio89@yahoo.com
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