Danny Green vs BJ Flores Preview - Flores Looks to Prove, Green Looks to Assert

Frank Zhong previews Wednesday's cruiserweight clash between veteran Australian puncher Danny Green and American BJ Flores.

After years of talking about fighting a dangerous opponent and making waves in the cruiserweight division, BJ Flores (24-0, 15 KOs), will finally be stepping up in competition when takes on top ten ranked Danny Green (Ring #7, Bad Left Hook #8) in Perth, Australia, on Wednesday.

Similarly, the heavy handed Green (30-3, 27 KOs), will be up against a much tougher challenge in Flores, than he faced last time out against the medically unfit Paul Briggs. After the controversial nature of the Briggs bout, Green's reputation can definitely use a boost and a tough battle with a legit contender in Flores should help.

The Fighters:

BJ Flores, called El Peligroso, will test himself against a dangerous opponent after making a lot of face time on Friday Night Fights as a guest commentator. He has an extensive amateur resume, winning the National Golden Gloves at light heavyweight in 1997, and the USA National Amateur Heavyweight Championships in 2001 and 2002. In the ring, he shows the strong skillset that this background has provided him.

Flores has a good, fast jab, a fundamental stance, and calmness in the ring that comes from experience. As a tall cruiserweight with a wingspan to match Vitali Klitschko, he uses the ring effectively with his straight punches and footwork. He does tend to bounce his hands up and down though when he is in his stance. This, along with his tendency to extend his chin as he unloads, can disrupt his rhythm and dull his awareness in the exchange of punches coming back at him.

Danny Green comes from an extensive amateur background himself. In 2000 in boxed for the Australian Olympic team, losing to the eventual light heavyweight gold medalist Alexander Lezbiak in the first round bout.

His style however, differs considerably from Flores. Whereas Flores likes to keep his distance, snap a fluid jab, and use his feet to hit without getting hit, Danny Green has much less mystery. Operating behind a power jab, he seeks to end bouts with every punch he throws. Because of this, he tends to plant himself flatfooted and tighten his shoulders. This leads to his inability to slip punches, especially ones that are properly thrown down the pipe. Anthony Mundine was able to use his handspeed, combination punching, and balanced footwork to offset Green and embarrass him in 2006. BJ Flores is very capable of doing the same.

The Style Breakdown:

When the fight begins, I expect each fighter to try to apply their strengths immediately. Flores, being taller and longer, will have to use distance and ringspace to make sure his long jab and straight right have room to snap to Green’s body and head.

Green will have to be slightly lighter on his feet than he is used to being, and cut the ring off from the circling Flores. While cutting the ring off, Green will have to use his stiff jab to Flores’ chest to stop the mobility of the American. When Flores opens up with his one-twos, the heavy-handed Green will have opportunities drop his weight underneath Flores’ punches and test his chin with counter uppercuts.

Flores also does not like pressure, and responds to it negatively by retreating straight back to the ropes and putting on his earmuffs. He does not roll with punches well on this inside, and does not have good head movement, instead using mostly his feet to get out of the way of punches. If Green pressures forward, he can probably land at least one punch per flurry. As the Roy Jones fight showed us, one shot might be all Green needs to dictate a fight’s outcome.

To make sure he wins the fight, Flores will have to be busy in his own way. Since Green tends to keep a strong base, he would have a hard time against an opponent that is turning him, especially if that opponent can tag him from a distance. When he has stood in front of Green for more than a few seconds, he should step off the line, away from Green’s power right. This will force Green to continue to follow him and allow Flores time to throw his jab and keep the fight at a slow pace. If he wants to land combinations, Flores will have to slide in quickly behind a jab, get off, and slide out a side door. If he can avoid trades, Flores will give Green a similar clinic as The Man Mundine did.

The Prediction:

In a fight like this, in Green’s hometown, Flores will have to clearly win each round in order to get the nod on the cards. With his physical advantages, he should be able to do so, and take a fairly convincing decision against the shorter, slower Green.

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