Boxer’s brother vows to keep fighting

Younger Flores says sibling's death won't deter him

By DAVID BARRON Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
May 8, 2009,


Michael Campbell For the Chronicle
Benjamin Flores, left, defeated Wayne Fletcher by sic-round decision in this Oct. 28, 2005 bout in Houston. Flores, 25, died Tuesday at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas of injuries sustained in a bout five days earlier.

Family members of Benjamin Flores, the Houston boxer who died Tuesday after collapsing in the ring following a May 1 fight in Dallas, will receive visitors from 3 to 9 p.m. today at Funeraria Del Angel Funeral Home, 5100 North Fwy.

Mass will be celebrated at noon Saturday at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 501 Tidwell Rd.

Flores, 25, will be buried in Michoacan, Mexico.

The younger brother of Houston boxer Benjamin Flores said Wednesday he will continue in the sport and hopes to win a world title in honor of his brother, who died five days after collapsing in the ring after a fight in Dallas.

Miguel Flores, who will turn 17 in July, said he and his family are coping as well as could be expected in the wake of Benjamin Flores’ death early Tuesday at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.

Benjamin “El Michoacano” Flores had been hospitalized since Thursday night after collapsing in the ring at the conclusion of a fight against Al Seeger, 29, of Savannah, Ga., at the Hilton Anatole Hotel.

Referee Laurence Cole stopped the fight at 2:10 of the eighth round. Flores and Seeger were fighting for the North American Boxing Federation’s super bantamweight title as part of a charity benefit fight night at the hotel.

Miguel Flores, a junior at Sam Houston High School who, like his brother, fights at 120 pounds, said he has fought about 100 amateur bouts and plans to continue in the sport despite his brother’s death.

“I will win the world title for my brother,” he said. “Any sport has risks, you know. It’s part of life. Everywhere you go, you take a risk.”

Prior to Benjamin’s death, Miguel Flores said he was considering plans to turn pro when he turns 17 in two months and had hoped that he and his brother could fight on the same card.

Flores also was mourned by 2000 Olympic silver medalist Rocky Juarez, who said the boxer’s death drives home the inherent dangers of the sport.

“He was a nice, humble man who was raised right and had a good family and a lot of support,” Juarez said. “We know the possible consequences when we step into the ring, but you never think this could happen to you or your friends.”

Services are pending for Benjamin Flores, whose death will be investigated by Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which sanctions combative sports in the state.

A memorial fund has been established by the Real Estate Council of Dallas; contributions can be sent to Benjamin Flores Memorial Fund. ATTN: Sabrina Jaramillo, Guaranty Bank, 2nd Floor – TMSS, 8333 Douglas Ave., Dallas, TX 75225.

david.barron@chron.com