About Us

What is American Kenpo Karate?
American Kenpo Karate is an updated system of self-defense based on modern day street fighting.  The system applies logic and practicality.

American Kenpo Karate is a thinking art.

Who are the Flores Bros.?
The Flores Bros are Jesus and Refugio Flores.  Both started training in Kenpo Karate in 1972 and were tested by Mr. Ed Parker in 1978 for the black belts under the guidance of Curt Cokeley.  In 1984 Jesus and Refugio Flores started training personally with Mr. Ed Parker until December of 1990 when Mr. Parker passed away.

Mr. Parker promoted both Jesus and Refugio Flores up through their 5th degree Black Belts.  They are currently both 8th degree Black Belts.

Jesus Flores has personally trained and promoted over 100 in-house Black Belts.  In the Kenpo system he has trained with Paul Wagner, Louie Chavez, Steve Morello, Jim Mitchell, Curt Cokeley, Larry Tatum and Mr. Ed Parker.  Jesus has been training since 1992 in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and has pesonally trained with Rickson Gracie.  Currently, Jesus trains in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu with Craig Husband and Chris Saunders, the first American to have been promoted to Black Belt by Rickson Gracie.  He's also a certified instructor by Guro Dan Inosanto in the Filipino Martial Arts and Maphilindo & Madjapahit Silat.

Jesus has been featured in Black Belt Magazine twice, August 1993 titled "Kenpo Karate Theory of Reverse Motion: Find the Hidden Strikes In Your Fighting Techniques." and August 1994 titled: "Check Mate, Kenpo Wins!"

Refugio Flores a pioneer in the sport of Kick Boxing held the 1978 United States Featherweight Title for the International Kickboxing Association and in 1981 became the IKA World Super Featherweight Champion.  Refugio has done stunt work for various motion pictures including "Force Five", and "The Karate Kid".  Nominated two years in a row for the Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame, Refugio became an inductee in 1987.  Refugio also specializes in professional body guard training and special forces tactics.

Both Jesus and Refugio Flores have dedicated their lives to promoted the art of American Kenpo Karate throughout the world.  The both currently run the Flores Bros. Kenpo Karate Studios in Oxnard and promote the art through their books, videos and seminars.