By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Flores takes first at State Silver Gloves tourney
• Damon claims third state title
Damon Flores boxer
La Rosa Elementary School’s Damon Flores, 10, improved his boxing record to 33-3 this past week.

Damon Flores added to his already impressive boxing résumé this past week.

The soon-to-be fifth-grader at La Rosa Elementary School finished in first place at the California State Silver Gloves Tournament for the third time.

Flores won the 11-12-year-old Bantamweight 80-pound division title at the USA Boxing sanctioned event on July 24 in Compton.

He collected victories against Jacob Vazquez and Carlos Ponce.

 “It feels good winning state and being named most outstanding boxer for a second time,” said Flores, who will turn 11 on July 31. “I worked hard for this. Now, I have to go to Las Vegas and fight again. I’m going to try to win the whole thing.”

Flores will compete at the Region-8 Silver Gloves Championships, Aug. 6-8, in Las Vegas. He’ll be vying for a berth to Nationals.

“People say he’s special,” said Damian Flores, Damon’s father and trainer. “Everybody sees it. He’s making a mark. I’m proud of him.”

Flores claimed his fifth national title in April following a long break due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He 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.

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

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

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 got blessed with gifted children,” said Damian, whose two older sons Damian Louis and Andre also box. “But they put the time in. I don’t think he (Damon) grasps the significance of what he’s doing because he’s so young. He’s a crowd pleaser. He doesn’t get hit a lot. He’s got really good movement. He’s slick and crafty. He generates a lot of power. He’s an athlete. He does what he does. He’ll be the favorite there (Regionals).”

“I think, fight and listen to my coaches,” Damon added.