Gio Cabrera shines on ESPN with dominating win

Gio “El Cabron” Cabrera (21-0, 7 KO’s) was looking to make a statement in Hinkley, Minnesota, last Saturday night. And, to say the young Chicago-raised, Los Angeles-based southpaw did that and didn’t waste any time doing it would be an understatement. 

Cabrera made it look pretty easy.

However, the task was anything but that. A determined and doggedly tough Gabriel Flores Jr. was also attempting to make a point. But, seven seconds into the fight, Cabrera had deposited the once red-hot Stockton, California boxer on the canvas.

Cabrera continued to punish Flores, dropping him again and dominating him in a round that Flores was lucky to escape. (Credit where credit is due, Flores showed phenomenal heart and guts weathering the toughest of opening round storms).

For the rest of the fight, Cabrera dominated Flores, dropping him again in round five. While Flores, a talented and tough boxer, had moments of success, it was primarily all Cabrera. All l three judges awarded “El Cabron” the unanimous decision.

Manager Steven Feder has organized an outstanding team for Cabrera outside the ropes under the guidance of lead trainer Freddie Roach, along with trainer Pepe Reilly, and strength and conditioning coach Pedro Garcia. All three, along with Feder, expressed confidence in their charge leading up to the fight. 

“I took the fight as soon as it was offered”, said Feder, interviewed during fight week. “That isn’t a statement on Flores, who is a good, tough fighter. That is a statement on Cabrera”, he continued. “I just knew that no matter what style Flores brings, Gio will handle him. He has had a great camp and he is looking very strong. He has been in with some big, tough sparring partners and he is really handling them”, he said. “If Flores thinks Gio is just awkward, and that’s all he has, and he can’t punch, he is going to be surprised”.

Leading up to the fight, Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, who has worked with the very best of champions and contenders over his career, said, “We have been working on sitting down on the punches, on stepping forward, being more of the aggressor," he said. “You are going to see something completely different”. 

“It will be interesting to see what Top Rank does next”, said Feder after the bout, clearly pleased and proud of a job well done by Cabrera. “Giovanni opened up some doors with this win”. 

After a short vacation back home in Chicago, it will be back to Los Angeles, back to the Wild Card, and back to work for Cabrera. 

Last Saturday night in Hinkley, under the brightest of lights, Cabrera picked up a huge win, turned some heads, and made a statement in the 135-pound division. 

Mission accomplished in Minnesota.