Connect with us

Canada and USA

Boxing Broadcaster Ray Flores is a Man on the Move

Published

on

Move

Ray Flores is a man on the move. During a two-week span in September, the affable 31-year-old boxing broadcaster worked five cards on three networks. A week ago, he worked a show in Las Vegas on Tuesday and another in Dallas on Friday. He’s also moving upward. It seems like only yesterday that he was PBC’s invisible ring announcer, the fellow consigned to performing his role off-camera. Nowadays, more often than not, he is the face of the telecast.

Flores may have burst on the national scene like a comet, but he spent many years honing his craft in and around Chicago. Indeed, he recalls that he was seven years old when he first dreamed of a career in sports broadcasting. When he was still in high school, he was taping segments with MMA fighters that aired a week later on a small local public access TV station. Miguel Torres, five years older than Ray, was then the star of the local MMA scene. They attended the same high school (East Chicago Central).

Ray’s grandparents migrated to the U.S. from Mexico, settling in the Chicagoland area in Northwest Indiana. His father teaches Spanish at a junior high school. His parents, Ray recalls, were big fans of Julio Cesar Chavez. Ray wasn’t born yet when Chavez won his first world title, but in common with his elders, he speaks reverently of El Gran Campeon.

After high school, Flores enrolled at Chicago’s Columbia College, a school tailor-made for a student aspiring to a career in radio and television. (The late Nick Charles, the first host of Showtime’s “ShoBox: The New Generation,” was also a Columbia College grad.) One of Ray’s first boxing assignments was covering the Chicago press conference for the Mayweather-De La Hoya fight for his college radio station. Little did he know that ten years later he would play an integral role in the Mayweather-McGregor pre-fight publicity tour, a whirlwind four-day, three-nation, four-city extravaganza.

Flores was working as a sports anchor on Chicago’s ESPN affiliate when his career in boxing took flight. It soon became obvious to him that he couldn’t juggle both responsibilities. He had to make a choice.

Flores rattles off the names of a long list of people who have helped him along on his journey, beginning with his parents. “I owe my mom and dad everything,” he says. There’s Artie Pelullo, the Philadelphia-based boxing promoter who got him exposure on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. There’s multi-faceted ABC/ESPN sportscaster Joe Tessitore who gave him his nickname, “Sweet Baby Ray.” There are those that work behind the scene for Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions, notably Tom Brown and Ray’s frequent traveling companions, Brittany Goosen Brown and Chris Gilmore Jr., who are part of the PBC production team.

“Brittany and Chris are my surrogate siblings,” says Ray, a bachelor. “It’s one reason why the travel has never gotten old. Together we have worked in 25 states.”

And what about the big enchilada himself, Al Haymon, the man with the purse strings? What are Ray’s impressions of the mysterious PBC honcho?

“I’ve never met him,” says Flores, “but I get upset when I hear people speak bad about him because he has changed so many lives for the better.”

At the tender age of 22, Ray was the announcer for a few MMA shows in Great Britain. These were low-budget affairs, especially when contrasted against Ray’s most recent visit to the cradle of boxing where three private jets whisked Team Mayweather, Team McGregor, and the support team across the pond to London for the final leg of the promotional tour. Ray was the MC for the festivities at Wembley Stadium.

“That was the greatest experience of my career,” says Flores. “That was my Super Bowl.”

Ring announcers work in the shadows of Michael Buffer and Jimmy Lennon Jr., the titans of the trade. Flores admires both, but gives his highest approval rating to Buffer who is still going strong at age seventy-two. “To me, Michael Buffer is the Michael Jordan of announcers,” he says. “If he were a fictional character, he would be James Bond. He’s so cool.”

In transitioning from a ring announcer to a lead commentator (actually, Ray customarily wears both hats), Flores made a move for which there is seemingly no precedent.

Being a talking head for a sporting event on television — telling viewers what they can see with their very own eyes — is hardly as easy as it looks. Unlike a writer, a sportscaster can’t retract what he just said and polish it up. The first rule for a TV personality – indeed anyone paid to talk – is “be upbeat,” but that requires a delicate balance as there will be lulls and a listener can sense when it’s feigned.

Flores’ job has been made more difficult in that he hasn’t had the opportunity to get comfortable with one analyst. He’s been saddled with a rotating cast of sidekicks, mostly active and recently retired boxers, and some of them, to put it diplomatically, simply don’t have the vocabulary or on-air presence to enhance the broadcast. (This observation is entirely our own; it wasn’t brought up in our conversation with Flores and we’re quite certain that he would never acknowledge it.)

Despite his hectic schedule, Ray finds time to chime in frequently as the “road warrior” for our sister site, The Boxing Channel, where he previews upcoming fights and shares his thoughts about current events in boxing.

Flores will be at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, this weekend where PBC is co-promoting a mammoth 13-fight show featuring Abner Mares and Leo Santa Cruz – featherweight title-holders on a collision course — in separate bouts. The featured bouts will air on FOX and FOX Deportes with coverage slated to begin at 7:30 ET/4:30 PT.

Beyond that, Ray’s schedule is uncertain, at least for the moment. But in a year when boxing is enjoying a renaissance, it’s a safe bet that he will stay busy, zigzagging around the country, microphone in hand.

Check out more boxing news on video at The Boxing Channel.

To comment on this article at The Fight Forum, CLICK HERE.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Advertisement
Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Paro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles7 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles1 week ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles4 days ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles1 week ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles1 week ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles1 day ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles5 hours ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles1 day ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles3 days ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles4 days ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles5 days ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles7 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles1 week ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles1 week ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles1 week ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending