Consider the floodgates opened.
Current undefeated NABO Cruiserweight Champion B.J. Flores is planning on becoming the next world class boxer to make the transition to mixed martial arts.
After fielding interest from several major promotions, the 31-year-old San Francisco native has agreed in principle to a non-exclusive, multi-fight contract with Shine Fights.
MMAmania.com (www.mmamania.com) confirmed the pending deal with sources close to the negotiations earlier today.
Unlike the recent high profile signings of James Toney and Ricardo Mayorga, Flores will be a champion switching sports while still in his prime.
Flores is currently in London, England, where he's serving as a sparring partner for John Ruiz while he prepares for his upcoming WBA championship fight against current titleholder David Haye on April 3.
"El Peligroso" is scheduled to return to the United States immediately afterward and join a fight camp that has yet to be selected at this time. This would position him to compete in his first professional MMA fight in early summer, possibly in June or July.
For those unfamiliar with Flores he has accumulated a professional boxing record of 24-0-1 since he turned pro in 2003 with 15 knockouts. He is also a former National Golden Gloves light heavyweight champion and National Amateur heavyweight champion.
You may also recognize him from ESPN2's Friday Night Fights where he can be seen as a frequent guest analyst.
The 6'2" Flores currently competes in the cruiserweight (or junior heavyweight) division, which has a limit of 200 pounds, and should transition nicely into either the middleweight or light heavyweight division in MMA.
Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for further details regarding his upcoming debut.
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