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Flores, 10, wins fifth national title
Damon Flores placed first
La Rosa Elementary fourth-grader Damon Flores placed first in the 11-12-year-old Bantamweight 75-pound division at the USA Boxing National Championships.

Damon Flores continues to make a name for himself in the youth boxing world.

The La Rosa Elementary fourth-grader claimed his fifth national title earlier this month following a long break due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“People respect him now,” said Damian Flores, Damon’s father and trainer.

Flores, 10, placed first in the 11-12-year-old Bantamweight 75-pound division at the 2020 USA Boxing National Championships, staged March 25-April 3, in Shreveport, Louisiana.

“It makes me excited because I’m having fun and doing big things,” he said.

Seeded first, Flores was the youngest competitor in the 10-person bracket.

He won all three of his fights by unanimous decision.

He didn’t lose a single round.

Flores got a combined three standing eight counts during his first two bouts, including two against Colorado’s Ivan Salazar in the quarterfinals on March 30 and one versus California’s Michael Gomez in the semifinals on March 31.

Flores topped second-seeded Levar Adams of Virginia in the finals on April 1.

“I dominated all three fights,” said Damon, who turned 10 in July. “I listened to my coaches and used my skills.”

“He takes direction well now,” Damian said. “He’s more disciplined. He’s more patient. He uses a lot of feints and angles. He’s real sharp in the ring. The great thing about him is he makes adjustments.”

Flores stayed busy during COVID-19 quarantine.

He dedicated time to running and training five days a week leading up to 2020 Nationals.

“I did a lot of stuff,” Damon said. “I built up my skills and strength to a higher level.”

“He rides his bike a lot,” Damian said. “That was a big help.”

Flores improved his overall record to 25-3.

He finished first in the 9-10-year-old Pee-Wee 70-pound division at the 2019 USA Boxing Youth National Championships in Louisiana.

He claimed the 8-year-old Pee-Wee 65-pound title at the 2019 USA Boxing National Junior Olympic Championships in Wisconsin.

He brought home the 8-year-old Pee-Wee 65-pound open division championship belt from the 2019 Nevada Titles Nationals Boxing Tournament.

Flores captured the 8-year-old 65-pound title at the 2018 National Silver Gloves Championships. 

“I’m very proud of what he’s accomplishing,” Damian said. “He’s made a name for himself. He’s experiencing things he’ll never forget.”

“I think and listen to my coaches in the corner,” Damon said. “I’m pretty aggressive in there. I’m super strong. I get that from my dad and mom.”