Johnny Flores and The Brown Bomber . . .

By Rick Farris

Frank, we who trained at Johnny's gym in Pacomia during the 60's heard a lot about Joe Louis.
Johnny and the heavyweight champion of the world had met during WW2, and the following decade worked together.
Joe Louis promoted bouts in Hollywood, at the Moulan Rouge night club, and Flores was his matchmaker.

I remember as a kid, I'd see posters tacked up on the wall of Flores' backyard gym, posters from fights he and Louis had put on.

One story that Flores shared comes to mind.
One evening Johnny walked into the gym carrying an over-sized pair of REYES boxing gloves.
He was showing us a gift that had been presented to him years earlier, while in Mexico with Joe Louis.
Louis and Flores had been guests at the boxing glove manufacturer's factory.
Afterwards, both Louis and Flores were presented a pair of giant gloves.

Johnny told us he found a large plastic bag in which to wrap his gloves for the plane trip home.
When he and Louis left the hotel, he said the former champ had the gloves tied together and slung over his shoulder.
He then carried the gloves on the plane, as well. Needless to say, he got a lot of attention normally, this created more.

Johnny told us, "Joe really liked those gloves, and the attention."