Jay Harris hopes a victory over Hector Gabriel Flores can put him on the fast-track to a world title shot at 108lbs – as the two men prepare to meet for the vacant WBA Intercontinental light-flyweight title on Friday’s MTK Fight Night.
They collide on the co-promotion between MTK Global and Mo Prior at the Vale Sports Arena in Cardiff on Friday – with the event broadcast live in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank, and worldwide on IFL TV.
Harris (18-2, 9 KOs) is dropping down from flyweight to compete in a new weight class when he faces unbeaten Flores (18-0-4, 9 KOs), and the Swansea fighter has big ambitions in this weight division.
Harris said: “I’m really excited to be fighting back in Wales. I haven’t fought there since 2019 and I’m looking forward to a home crowd. I’m taking a lot of fans up there from Swansea, and we’ve got another local Swansea lad on the bill in Ben Crocker, so I believe it will be rocking.
“I’m happy with this new challenge in this new weight division. I made 8 stone comfortably last time, so now I’m ready for this new chapter. My opponent Hector Flores is unbeaten with 18 wins and 4 draws, and I’ve seen a couple of videos of some of his fights.
“I can’t see him being better than Julio Cesar Martinez and Ricardo Sandoval. I’ve fought those two and I believe they’re the two best Mexicans in the world at these lower weights. He’ll definitely be game and strong, but I’m ready for anything.
“I’ve trained and sparred hard, and I think the fans will be in for a treat. I think he’ll come straight forward, so it should be explosive and there will be fireworks. It’s great to be fighting for a title straight away too. It gives you that extra buzz, and I can’t wait to add a WBA Intercontinental belt to my collection.
“The light-flyweight division is very competitive. I’ve had a look at all of the world champions and those challenging near the top, and I’m looking forward to competing with them. I’d be happy to jump straight into a world title shot after this fight. I’ll see what MTK Global think and if it comes around, but I’ll be more than ready.”