Manny Pacquiao Promotions announced that Moton will face Wilfredo Flores on February 28 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, Recent York. The bout is scheduled for 10 rounds at welterweight, marking Moton’s first appearance on the division after previously competing as little as featherweight and most recently weighing 138 kilos in his last fight.
The move to welterweight is important for a 19-year-old who stays early in his physical development. Moton has regularly added weight since turning skilled, and this fight will provide the primary indication of whether his future belongs at 140 kilos or higher.
Welterweight debut under latest promoter
Moton enters unbeaten after eight skilled fights, with six knockouts. His most up-to-date outing was an eight-round unanimous decision over Renny Viamonte Mastrapa, a fight that forced him to go the gap and gain experience beyond early stoppages. His promotional departure from Floyd Mayweather Promotions earlier this 12 months drew attention due to his close association with Mayweather during his amateur rise and early pro profession.
Flores, a 36-year-old Puerto Rican with a 12-6-1 record and five knockouts, has built his profession serving as a durable test for prospects. He lost a unanimous decision to Mathew Gonzalez in October and has shared the ring with developing fighters, including Breyon Gorham, Alan Garcia, and Gary Cully. Only Cully has stopped him, reinforcing Flores’ fame as an opponent able to extending fights and forcing younger boxers to work.
Fan response to the matchup has been critical, with some questioning whether Moton’s level of opposition matches the publicity around his name. His age provides an evidence for careful matchmaking, though expectations around him have risen quickly since turning skilled.
Jimuel Pacquiao Jr. may even appear on the cardboard in a separate four-round bout against Luis E. Santana Figueroa. Pacquiao Jr., 25, fought to a majority draw against Brendan Lally in his debut and will likely be in search of his first skilled victory.
The February 28 card will likely be headlined by a 10-round featherweight fight between Elijah Pierce and Lorenzo Parra.
Moton’s talent stays evident, but his credibility will ultimately rely upon when his matchmaking begins to maneuver beyond experienced survivors like Flores and toward opponents able to forcing real separation between prospect and contender.