Hometown southpaw Manuel “Gucci Manny” Flores (20-1, 16 KOs) meets undefeated San Diego technician Jorge “King” Chávez (14-0, 8 KOs) at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, with bragging rights and future matchmaking leverage on the line.
For Flores, the venue is equal parts comfort zone and cautionary tale. Eight of his last ten bouts have unfolded under the same lights—including his lone defeat, a lopsided loss to Walter Santibanes in 2023. Since then the 26-year-old has rattled off five straight inside-four knockouts, most notably halting durable Jorge Leyva in March. “This is my home, my people, and my moment,” Flores declared. “Every round I’m defending Coachella.”
Watch Flores vs. Olivo highlights: Watch
Chávez steps into new territory on two fronts: first headline slot, first scheduled ten-rounder. The slick 22-year-old has coasted through six previous Fantasy Springs appearances, pitching virtual shutouts in each of his last three eight-rounders despite an early knockdown scare against veteran Diuhl Olguin. “Manny Flores is the challenge I wanted,” Chávez said. “A win here proves I’m ready for the next level.”
Oscar De La Hoya framed the matchup as Golden Boy’s developmental philosophy in microcosm. “Flores brings knockout momentum, Chávez brings an undefeated hunger - exactly the kind of test that forges champions,” the Hall-of-Famer noted.
When the bell rings, one Southern California prospect will emerge with local pride and a national push, while the other will discover how thin the air can be on boxing’s prospect mountain. July 24 may read like Fight Night on the calendar, but for Flores and Chávez it is judgment night in the desert.
Fight card:
▪️Manuel Flores vs. Jorge Chavez, 10 rounds, super bantamweight
