A packed crowd filled Adventist Health Arena on Saturday for a full afternoon and evening of boxing, highlighted by Stockton native Gabe Flores Jr. returning home for the biggest fight of his career.
The fight carried deeper meaning than a title opportunity. Earlier in the week, Flores told Stocktonia that the bout came just weeks after a mass shooting in Stockton killed his cousin, Susano Archuleta, and three children. On fight night, Flores wore a shirt honoring Susano, his mother Justina Machado and other victims of gun violence in the city, bringing a visible tribute into the ring.
Flores faced former IBF champion Joe Cordina in a 12-round lightweight bout for the WBO International title. Cordina earned the win, handing Flores his third professional loss, but the Stockton crowd stayed loud throughout as Flores went the distance against one of the division’s top fighters.
Gabriel Flores Jr. exchanges punches with Joe Cordina as the fight intensifies in the middle rounds at Adventist Health Arena. (Photo by Daniel Garza/Stocktonia) 
Gabriel Flores Jr. is announced in the ring following his lightweight title bout against Joe Cordina while wearing a tribute shirt honoring victims of gun violence during Matchroom Boxing’s fight night at Adventist Health Arena in Stockton. (Photo by Daniel Garza/Stocktonia) 
Gabriel Flores Jr. lands a clean shot on Joe Cordina during their nationally televised DAZN bout in Stockton. (Photo by Daniel Garza/Stocktonia) 
Gabriel Flores Jr. lands a clean shot on Joe Cordina during their nationally televised DAZN bout in Stockton. (Photo by Daniel Garza/Stocktonia) 
Joe Cordina throws a right as Gabriel Flores Jr. absorbs the punch during their WBO International lightweight title fight at Adventist Health Arena. (Photo by Daniel Garza/Stocktonia) 
Gabriel Flores Jr. reacts after the conclusion of his fight against Joe Cordina as cameras surround the ring at Adventist Health Arena. (Photo by Daniel Garza/Stocktonia)
Earlier on the card, local fighters delivered strong performances, including Stockton’s Sachery Sam, who picked up a win in a featherweight bout. England’s Chev Clarke earned a cruiserweight victory, while Arturo Cardenas and Skye Nicolson each captured WBC titles in their respective divisions during the DAZN-televised portion of the event.
iego Pacheco throws a punch against Kevin Lele Sadjo during their super-middleweight main event bout Saturday, Dec. 13 at Adventist Health Arena in Stockton. (Photo by Daniel Garza/Stocktonia) 
CESAR OLVERA and VICTOR SARAVIA exchange punches during their super-bantamweight title bout Saturday, Dec. 13 in Stockton. (Photo by Daniel Garza/Stocktonia) 
Fighters trade punches during the featherweight bout between Sachery Sam and Brandon Medina Guerrero on Saturday, Dec. 13 in Stockton. (Photo by Daniel Garza/Stocktonia) 
Chev Clarke and Anthony Holloway exchange punches during their cruiserweight bout Saturday, Dec. 13 at Adventist Health Arena in Stockton. (Photo by Daniel Garza/Stocktonia) 
Chev Clarke lands a punch on Anthony Holloway during their cruiserweight bout Saturday, Dec. 13 in Stockton. (Photo by Daniel Garza/Stocktonia) 
Arturo Cardenas and Cesar Vaca exchange punches during their super-bantamweight title bout Saturday, Dec. 13 in Stockton. (Photo by Daniel Garza/Stocktonia) 
Arturo Cardenas and Cesar Vaca exchange punches during their super-bantamweight title bout Saturday, Dec. 13 in Stockton. (Photo by Daniel Garza/Stocktonia)
The night closed with a dominant performance by Diego Pacheco, who defeated Kevin Lele Sadjo to claim the WBC Silver and WBO International super-middleweight titles, capping off a stacked fight card that brought international boxing talent to Stockton.