The stage has been set for Gabriel Flores Jr.
Flores (22-2, 8 KOs) will face unbeaten Julian Rodarte (19-0-2, 8 KOs) in a 10-round main event March 16 at the Adventist Health Arena in Stockton, California. The bout will be fought for the WBA Continental USA title.
The bout will signal the launch of a family business. Flores’ father, Gabe Flores Sr., recently founded G-Squad Entertainment, a promotional outfit with grand visions. The Floreses held a press conference with the local media to announce the fight, and they have taken on the expense of booking a large venue, rather than opting for the sort of modest stage most startups choose.
“This card is going to be fireworks,” Flores Sr. said about the show. “I think Gabriel is motivated for his WBA title shot, and Fernando Vargas Jr. is excited to fight in Stockton for the first time.”
Rodarte, of Downey, California, has yet to lose in the ring – but also has yet to step up to the next level of competition. His last fight came in August 2023, which resulted in a draw against Juan Santiago.
Flores, 2-2 in his last four fights, recorded a 27-second knockout of Derrick Murray in his only fight of 2023. The fight, which was featured on ESPN’s “Top 10 Plays of the Day,” took place in the same venue in which he’ll fight Rodarte.
The rest of the card is as follows:
Fernando Vargas Jr. (13-0, 12 KOs) vs. Brad Solomon (29-6, 9 KOs), eight rounds, junior middleweight
Amado Vargas (10-0, 4 KOs) vs. TBA, six rounds, super featherweight
Salvador Briceno (17-7, 1 KO) vs. Cameron Kreal (20-31-3), six rounds, welterweight
Lorenzo Powell (pro debut) vs. TBA, four rounds, super featherweight
Jessie Guerrero (3-0-2, 3 KOs) vs. Oscar Arroyo (3-2, 2 KOs), four rounds, light flyweight