In the ring, one boxer extends his right arm, landing a punishing punch to the left side of his opponent's face.
Jorge Chavez lands a left to Flores’ chin during the bout on Friday Jan. 16, 2026. (Photo by Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy)

San Diego professional boxer Jorge “El Niño Dorado” Chavez has made California boxing history.

In a rematch Friday of his draw last July, Chavez faced Manny “Gucci Mane” Flores of Coachella at the Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, a spot filled with Flores’ devoted and vocal fans.

Sweetening the outcome, the California State boxing title was at stake for the first time in three decades after falling out of favor due to the rise of worldwide sanctioning organizations.

The regional title was resurrected thanks to a suggestion by California State Athletic Commissioner Ron Fiore. Previous winners include light heavyweight Hall of Fame champion Archie Moore.

Whether it was the enthusiasm of the fans, the score to settle, or history at stake, Flores and Chavez delivered a slugfest. Chavez (15-0-1, 8 KOs) got the better of Flores (20-2-1, 16 KOs) in the best performance of his career.

Scores were 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 in favor of Chavez by unanimous decision.

Awaiting the scores, Chavez kneeled on the canvas. He then leapt to his feet to celebrate with trainer Hector Lopez and manager Frank Espinoza. Although the title is considered a minor regional title, it meant the world to Chavez.

“To me it was the feeling of winning a world title, despite all the adversity I’ve been through life. I gave myself the title of being a hard worker, being an immigrant that went through hell.
I’ve become a (effing) phoenix at this point,” smiled Chavez.

A man in a boxing ring surrounded by several people exults as the referee reaches toward his arm, indicating that he won the bout. The boxer is Jorge “El Niño Dorado” Chavez of San Diego.
Jorge Chavez reacts to hearing his name announced as the winner in his Friday rematch with Manny Flores. He captured the first California State boxing championship awarded since the 1990s. (Photo by Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy)

Flores was the favorite and won the early rounds, with every solid punch getting wild cheers. But the tide turned in round 3. It appeared Chavez scored a knockdown as Flores’s glove touched the canvas. Referee Thomas Taylor ruled no knockdown, but it gave Chavez the motivation he needed.

“I just realized I was the tougher fighter, with my technique and faster twitch,” said Chavez after the fight. “I thought, I can turn it up a notch and beat him to the punch every time and that’s exactly what I was doing. I was beating him to the punch, and it made the difference down the road when he couldn’t get to me first.”

Chavez roared out of his corner in the fourth round, battering Flores to the body and catching him by surprise. Suddenly with Chavez on the front foot, it was game on. He timed Flores well, catching him coming in and landing sharp right hands to Flores with consistency.

After several successful rounds, trainer Hector Lopez told Chavez, “You’re a Tijuana dog!”

Flores was still competing, but falling behind and unable to stop Chavez from coming at him. “He’s running out of speed. Keep doing what you’re doing,” Lopez told Chavez.

Chavez paced himself as Flores was not ready to give up, peppering Flores with left hooks and uppercuts. Referee Thomas Taylor showed admirable restraint not jumping in to stop the fight and the pair made it to the final bell.

“I was joking around with everybody that I was bringing my running shoes. But little did they know I was bringing my hiking shoes. That was a pretty steep mountain. That kid’s a tough
dude,” said Chavez of Flores.

Chavez said choosing to take control gave him the edge.

“It was different when I took it to him. Last time, he took it to me. I let him build momentum too much, that’s what got me tired. Going forward was a lot easier,” said Chavez, who thanked his team and dedicated his win to people in his life who are battling cancer.

“I can do anything in the ring. You put me in there with a world contender. I proved I can do anything, I don’t care how hard it is,” said Chavez, who is working his way toward a world championship fight at age 26 in a competitive division at 122 pounds. The division includes one of the top boxers in the world, Naoya Inoue of Japan.

Chavez admitted he’s still learning, with limited experience in amateur fights. “I still got a lot to learn, I’m learning on the job, that’s the beautiful part.”