FOES FOR NOW VARGAS, FLORES FORGET THEIR FRIENDSHIP.

LAS VEGAS - Two years ago, Jose ``Shibata'' Flores had all but decided to end his boxing career after 10 years because he appeared to be going nowhere. On Saturday, after a climb up the rankings that has surprised even him, he will fight Fernando Vargas for the vacant WBA junior middleweight title.

And he has primarily one man to thank for his sudden success: Fernando Vargas.

Flores was hired to spar with Vargas in the summer of 1999 and became a close friend, so close that Vargas offered to do everything he could to see that Flores' career would flourish. The result is Saturday's fight between No. 1-ranked Flores and No. 2 Vargas, friends who will be enemies for one night.

``Fernando did such a good job helping Shibata that he ends up fighting him for the championship. Is that amazing or what?'' promoter Gary Shaw said.

Flores, a Mexican native who lives in Los Angeles, was just one of several sparring partners Vargas employed before his 11-round demolition of Raul Marquez in July of 1999.

However, he was different. He won over the camp with his warm, fun- loving personality. And, more important, he worked hard. He took considerable punishment in sparring every day - certainly more than Vargas did - but never backed down, never complained, never gave the slightest hint that he might leave camp.

As they became closer, Flores confided to Vargas that he was disappointed with his career. He had compiled a good record (now 42-8, with 24 knockouts) but had little to show for it: relatively no money, no high- profile fights, no prospects.

He blamed those who have handled his career, who he believes used him to make as much money as they could without concern for his welfare. That's all Vargas had to hear.

``I felt bad for him,'' Vargas (21-1, 19 KOs) said while riding in his stretch limo. ``I know that happens a lot in boxing. I said, 'Don't worry about a thing, I got your back. I'll get you on my undercards. Don't worry.' ''

Vargas meant what he said. He asked Shaw, chief operating officer of Main Events, to have Flores fight on his cards and push him through the rankings as long as he continued to win. And he remained part of a world champion's camp, which renewed his passion for boxing.

The result was impressive. Flores did continue to win: He beat Carlos Bojorquez, Paul Vaden, Robert Kamya, Emmett Linton and Rene Herrera on the undercards of Vargas fights. And with each victory he climbed the junior middleweight rankings - 10, 8 6, 4 until finally he landed at No. 1 in the WBA.

For most of his climb, he and Vargas only joked about the possibility of one day meeting in the ring. Flores couldn't imagine fighting his boxing benefactor. And then, after Vargas agreed to fight Felix Trinidad in December, it became apparent that a meeting was possible.

Vargas had no choice but to sever ties with Flores temporarily. And that was OK with Flores because it meant he had finally attained a meaningful position in boxing.

``I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Fernando and Main Events,'' Flores said through an interpreter as he sat on the ring at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino after a workout. ``I'm very grateful. I was ready to retire, ready to walk away. Now I have my big chance. I never thought I would get it.''

The fight on Saturday - for which Flores will make $315,000, dwarfing all past paydays - became reality when several things fell into place. Trinidad, the WBA junior middleweight champ, took Vargas' IBF title in December and then vacated both championships to fight at 160 pounds. Vargas then beat Wilfredo Rivera in May and climbed to No. 2 in the WBA, right behind his buddy.

Vargas had a choice: Fight Flores for the vacant title or try to convince Oscar De La Hoya to give him a shot at the WBC championship. Vargas didn't want to wait: The quickest road to another championship was through Flores and he couldn't bypass the opportunity, friendship or no friendship.

Vargas admits Flores remains his friend. However, he has difficulty expressing affection at the moment because of the circumstances.

In fact, he has tried desperately to build some animosity to help motivate him. He had heard rumors that Flores had made disrespectful comments and seized the opportunity create friction. However, when the rumors proved false, he resorted to a more fundamental means of motivation.

``Like I've said, anyone I fight is trying to take food off my cubs' (two sons) table,'' he said. ``I didn't want to fight him because I knew I would beat him. I could beat him bad. I didn't want that because I know the guy. That doesn't mean I can let him win, though.

``Hey, if he can beat me, he's gonna do it. He definitely isn't gonna let me win and it's the same for me.''

Flores feels the same way. This is what he's worked for since he turned professional in 1990, a chance to win a world championship and all that would mean in terms of income. In the ring, he admits, the past will be set aside as two hungry boxers fight for their future.

Fernando Vargas vs. Jose Flores --What: WBA junior middleweight title fight --When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday --TV: HBO

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

(color) Fernando Vargas Jr. is oblivious to what's going on as his father answers questions about his upcoming fight with Jose Flores.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer

Box:

Fernando Vargas vs. Jose Flores (see text)