Dunkirk’s Wilfredo ‘El Bravo’ Vega Flores will be fighting against Victor Betancourt in the main event at the Seneca Niagara Casino on May 13. Submitted Photo

Wilfredo ‘El Bravo’ Vega Flores is glad to be fighting at home.

Flores will be representing Dunkirk when he fights in the lightweight division at 135 pounds against Victor Betancourt in the main event at Seneca Niagara Casino on May 13.

As far as records go, Betancourt will be one of Flores’ most difficult adversaries as the former sports a 27-4 record which includes 14 knockouts.

“We’ll see,” Flores said about how difficult of an opponent Betancourt will be. “The record by far is the most impressive one I will have faced, with 14 knockouts. It’s also going to be a classic Puerto Rico versus Mexico rivalry.”

While Betancourt’s record might look intimidating, he is coming in on the back of a loss by unanimous decision in last October and has now lost two of his last three fights.

However, Flores is not coming off his best performance either, having fought to a draw in his last match which was fought in Betancourt’s home country of Mexico. In Flores’ first professional fight in Mexico, he was up against a true hometown advantage for Jonathan Escobedo Martinez.

“With that fight a lot of things went wrong,” Flores said. “I couldn’t rehydrate, there was a strict rule where I couldn’t rehydrate more than six pounds. I usually do 14 pounds.”

The circumstances in the fight made it difficult for Flores to come away with the tie, including a moment where the referee even called time to wipe down his opponent’s back.

“It’s tough fighting in the guy’s hometown. I’m lucky I came out with a draw,” Flores added. “I wasn’t accustomed to the high altitude and I messed up my hand in the second round.”

With that fight behind him, Flores is now focused and ready for his upcoming bout, but this time he will have the hometown advantage.

“I’m super excited,” Flores said about fighting in Western New York. “This is a fighter’s dream to fight in front of his family and friends. Seneca Niagara Casino is close enough to be able to represent Dunkirk. I’m excited and I’m focused on doing that. My family and friends are pushing me. I’m excited to put a great show on for everyone.”

Flores will have many family and friends to cheer him on in the fight, but he is dedicating this match to his grandmother.

“I do want to dedicate this fight to my grandma specifically,” Flores said. “We share a great passion for fighting and I’m going to show that our family has the will to fight and get through things. We’re going to continue to get through things and climb the rankings.”

Flores likes to keep his focus on one fight at a time, but that doesn’t keep him from speculating when he could be in line for a title match.

“I always take one fight at a time,” added Flores. “I don’t like to look ahead, because tomorrow is never promised. I like to focus on what’s in front of me.”

However, when one looks at where Flores is ranked among American lightweight division fighters, it’s clear he is rising up the national rankings. According to boxrec.com, Flores is the 22nd-ranked lightweight boxer in the United States at 135 pounds. With Betancourt’s ranking at 58 among all Mexican lightweights, a victory will surely see Flores continue his rise.

“This is the first where I’ve actually had a longer camp,” Flores said about his training ahead of the fight. “I’ll be ready for sure for whatever he brings. It will allow me to start banging on the Top Ten and, hopefully, work towards a world title match soon.”

Flores will be fighting in the main event this time. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. Watching at home can be done live on Telemundo and ESPN Knockout.

With both Flores and Betancourt looking to move up the lightweight rankings, both fighters will have a lot to fight for.

“He has 32 fights. The experience makes a big difference,” Flores said. “But when you get in the ring, it goes out the window and it goes to has the more talent. It will go to who is fearless and is willing to give it their all to win.”