Miguel Flores older brother taught him many things during his life but one of the most important was to always be humble.

Benjamin Flores, aged just 24, died on May 5, 2009 in a Dallas hospital after suffering injuries in a fight against Al Seeger one week prior. Ben’s life was tragically cut short but he continues to serve as an inspiration to his younger brother who was just 16 at the time, a couple of months shy of his 17th birthday.

Three months after his passing Miguel’s own professional boxing career began and now, over ten years later, he is just days away from fighting Leo Santa Cruz in a rearranged fight, postponed in February due to Flores suffering an ankle injury, for Santa Cruz’s WBA Featherweight title at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“When I was a little kid I always had my brother looking out for me,” Flores told Boxing Scene. “And when he passed away I was like okay my brother wouldn’t want me to do this, wouldn’t want me to act like that, so just putting those thoughts into my mind has made me a mature fighter. He always said no matter what happens, or where you go in life, you have to remain humble and treat everyone the same and I think that’s one thing I always try to do and it made me the young man that I am today.”

Now 27, Miguel, a Houston resident but originally from Morelia, Michocan, Mexcio, has amassed a record of twenty-six fights with twenty-four wins and two losses. His threat to Santa Cruz is not felt around the boxing community, in fact noses are being turned up at the very thought of this being a world title fight.

“I’m sure he wants bigger fights, bigger names but this is what he’s being offered so it’s better than nothing,” Flores said of the three-weight world champion.

“I know a lot of people are asking for the fight against Gary Russell, Tank [Gervonta Davis] and the other champions at 126 but ultimately we’re just fighters and we fight whoever is put in front of us. It’s time for a new champion, a new face at featherweight and I think I can be that face in the division. But not just with this victory, I’m willing to take on all those guys as soon as it’s available when I become a world champion.”

The familiar fighting words of an unheralded challenger may do little to convince those of you reading this but the WBA’s number two contender is somewhat unsurprisingly immune to criticism. He is fighting for himself, his family and the memory of his brother. And despite this interview taking place over the phone you could feel his smile beaming from ear to ear at the opportunity he has been given on Saturday.

“It’s a bunch of dreams coming true in one night,” he beamed. “Leo is a great fighter but a lot of people are going to be surprised at the way we handle him on November 23.”

In the aftermath of losing his brother there had to be a lot of quick growing up to do by Miguel.

The teenager had to become a man. He had to be there for his parents, for his nephew and developed into your not so typical teen.

“I think that made me a better boxer and a better person in life,” he admitted.

His brother’s death reinforced the seriousness of the sport to him. But from his professional debut in Houston to his first Vegas fight night this Saturday his attitude and work ethic has never changed. The scale of the fight doesn’t enhance or decrease his efforts in training. The miles on the roads, sparring sessions, the strength and conditioning have been in full force from day one. He has always trained at a high level including sparring hundreds of rounds with fellow Houston native Rocky Juarez. The Mexican warrior may not have achieved his own world title dreams but he has given a ring education to Miguel during their sparring sessions which totalled around 500 rounds.

“I used to watch my brother spar him when he was at his peak,” Miguel recalled.

“I used to watch my brother spar this guy and it never crossed my mind a few years later I would get to spar him. Obviously I caught Rocky when he was coming into this thirties and a little bit downhill but still experienced, a veteran and he hit very hard. I put his experience into my book and he helped me a lot to develop my game.

“That type of level against those guys meant you had to be mentally prepared for a tough day of sparring. Sometimes the sparring sessions were harder than the actual fights. You talk about a guy like Rocky Juarez; he has been in the Olympics, he fought great names like Barrera, Marquez… he had the experience. Me just being in the ring with him, at 18-19, was already a great accomplishment.”

His greatest accomplishment will be becoming world champion. And fulfilling the dream that both he and Ben had in their careers.

Flores promises an action-packed fight against Santa Cruz. Lots of punches, taking one good shot but coming back with three or four. Miguel has followed Leo’s career since the early days, knows his family and while he may have a dozen fights less than the champion he is counting on his gym experiences, his time around boxing before lacing the gloves up himself to increase the possibility of causing what would be one of 2019’s biggest upsets.

It could well be one-sided, it may be another all-Mexican thriller. Reality may hit Flores early, Santa Cruz may be there for the taking. The underdog is ready to pose the questions. Forget the losses to Dat Nguyen and the controversial ending to his bout against Chris Avalos Miguel Flores will be carrying a lot on his shoulders come fight night but he’s relishing it.

And Flores final words to ‘Scene were these: “Even for those that don’t think it’s going to be a great fight I suggest they tune in because afterwards I’m sure they’re going to be asking for a rematch.”