Mike Perez (boxer)

Background

Perez was a successful amateur boxer in Cuba. In 2005, while competing with the Cuban team at a tournament in Liverpool, he caught the eye of Irish boxing promoter Gary Hyde. Hyde later expressed his desire to turn Perez professional, and to do that he had to arrange his defection from Cuba. In December 2007, under cover of darkness, Perez swam offshore from Cuba, to a boat manned by a Mexican cartel. After transferring through two other boats, enduring storms and depleted food and water supplies, Perez eventually reached Mexican soil nine days later. The Cartel then held him there, until they secured final payment from organizer, Gary Hyde. Upon receiving it, Perez was released, allowing him to board a flight to his new home. On 10 January 2008, Perez touched down in Ireland, where he settled in Cork along with fellow Cubans Alexei Acosta and Luis García. Today, he fights under the nickname Mike "The Rebel" Perez, in reference to Cork which is known as the "Rebel County".{{cite web |url=http://www.punditarena.com/boxing/mmccarthy/rebel-rising-corks-mike-perez/ |publisher=Pundit Arena |date= July 2014 |title=Rebel Rising – Cork's Mike Perez

Amateur career

Perez had over 400 amateur bouts. In 2004, he won gold at the World Junior Championships in Jeju City, South Korea. The southpaw beat Englishman Danny Price in the semifinals, before defeating Russian fighter Nikolay Pavlyukov 38–16 in the final. Perez later beat fighters such as Kenneth Egan and Constantin Bejenaru, but moved up to 201 lbs and initially struggled against world class competition like Luis Ortiz, who beat him in 2006 to become the Cuban national champion. Perez avenged that loss in the 2007 championships, but lost to Osmay Acosta in that year's final.

Professional career

Early career

In 2008, Perez turned professional under Cuban coach Nicholas Cruz Hernández, who had also moved to Ireland in 1988.

On 7 May 2011, Perez won the International Prizefighter tournament, held in London, England. Perez faced Kertson Manswell and Grégory Tony, before defeating American Tye Fields in the final to take home the £32,000 prize. After the fight, Perez stated the victory would earn him a world title shot in the near future.

He then fought and won against American journeyman Zack Page in a rematch on 9 November 2011, in York Hall, Bethnal Green, London.

Perez made his United States debut on 30 December 2011, against the Nigerian heavyweight Friday Ahunanya. The location for the fight was Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California. Perez won by unanimous decision, winning every round on the judges' scorecards.

After a hiatus in 2012, Perez returned to the ring on 4 May 2013, winning a 10-round unanimous decision against American Travis Walker on the undercard of Wladimir Klitschko vs. Francesco Pianeta.

Perez vs. Abdusalomov

On 2 November 2013, he made his HBO debut against hard-hitting prospect Magomed Abdusalomov (18–0 18 KOs) at Madison Square Garden. In a rare southpaw vs. southpaw heaveyweight match, Perez won by unanimous decision after a brutally-fought 10 rounds. The fight left Abdusalamov permanently and severely injured after suffering a stroke during surgery to remove a blood clot in his brain. Abdusalamov's family later sued the New York State Athletic Commission due to negligence. The lawsuit ended with a $22 million settlement. Perez's form dipped after the tragic incident, as he drew and lost many of his next fights. He would later reveal that he struggled with alcoholism during this time, to the point of getting into the ring drunk a few times.

Perez vs. Takam

Perez returned on 18 January 2014 to fight Carlos Takam at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Takam and Perez fought to a majority draw. The fight was shown on HBO on the Jean Pascal vs Lucian Bute under card.

Perez vs. Jennings

Perez then lost a narrow split decision to Bryant Jennings on 26 July 2014, with the judges’ scorecards reading 114–113 and 115–112 for Jennings, and 114–113 for Perez. Referee Harvey Dock controversially deducted a point from Perez in the final round for hitting Jennings on the break.

Perez vs. Povetkin

On 22 May 2015 Perez was brutally knocked out by Alexander Povetkin 91 seconds into a WBC heavyweight title eliminator. Following the loss to Povetkin, Perez spent over two years away from the ring, before returning in 2017 as a cruiserweight.

World Boxing Super Series

Main article: 2017 World Boxing Super Series - Cruiserweight division

On 6 July, Perez was announced as the final entrant to the cruiserweight World Boxing Super Series (WBSS).

Perez vs. Briedis

At the Draft Gala, which took place on 8 July in Monte Carlo, Perez was chosen by WBC champion Mairis Briedis as his quarter final opponent. On 22 July, the WBSS announced the fight would take place in Briedis' home country of Latvia at the Riga Arena, Riga, on 30 September 2017. This would be the 8th time Briedis would fight at his hometown arena.

Briedis won a scrappy fight, beating Perez by unanimous decision after 12 rounds (116–110, 115–111, 114–112). Perez was deducted a point in round 3 following an accidental clash of heads. Briedis was also docked a point during round 10 for excessive holding. With the win, Briedis moved on to the semi-finals to face the eventual winner Oleksandr Usyk.

Perez vs. Tapia

Perez scored a unanimous decision win over Keith Tapia at CFE Arena in Orlando, Florida, on 20 October 2018. The fight was for the vacant WBA Fedelatin cruiserweight title and an alternate position in the World Boxing Super Series,

Perez vs. Salam

Perez fought Tony Salam for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental cruiserweight title at Atlantis The Palm in Dubai on 13 August 2021. He won the via third round technical knockout.

Perez vs. Ducar

On 26 March 2022, he made the first defense of the title against Vasil Ducar at Aviation Club Tennis Centre in Dubai. Perez retained the belt when his opponent retired at the end of the 10th round.

Perez vs. Ward

Having previously vacated the title, Perez retained the vacant WBA Intercontinental cruiserweight championship by stopping Steven Ward in the ninth round.

Personal life

Perez resides in Cork, Ireland with his wife Camille.

Professional boxing record

|ko-wins=22 |ko-losses=1 |dec-wins=9 |dec-losses=2 |dq-wins= |dq-losses=

References

References

1. (July 2014). "The Cuban boxer from Cork who is one win away from a world title shot". The Cuban boxer from Cork who is one win away from a world title shot.
2. AdminMJ. "Mike Perez".
3. "Perez powers to victory". SkySports.
4. "Mike Perez". BoxRec.
5. "BoxRec - Mike Perez". boxrec.com.
6. link. (October 29, 2013)
7. Scott Christ. (2 November 2013). "Golovkin vs Stevens results: Mike Perez wins brutal decision over Magomed Abdusalamov". Bad Left Hook.
8. Tim Smith. "Mike Perez: Title Shot Ahead, Disabled Foe Behind". Bleacher Report.
9. (8 September 2017). "Boxer gets record $22 million settlement from New York in brain injury case".
10. (26 April 2017). ""I was getting into the ring drunk" – Mike Perez reveals demons from tragic Mago fight - Irish Boxing".
11. "Mike Perez-Carlos Takam on Pascal-Bute Undercard - Boxing News". boxingscene.com.
12. (26 July 2014). "Jennings edges Perez by split decision".
13. "Avni Yildrim, Robert Brant added to WBSS 168 tourney, Mike Perez completes cruiser line-up {{!".
14. "Usyk-Huck, Groves-Cox headline Super Series". ESPN.com.
15. (2017-07-22). "Mairis Briedis-Mike Perez set for September 30 - The Ring". The Ring.
16. "Mairis Briedis vs. Mike Perez on September 30 in Latvia - Boxing News".
17. "Mairis Briedis Decisions Mike Perez, Set to Fight Usyk Next".
18. "Mike Perez Decisions Keith Tapia To Secure WBSS Alternate Spot". Boxing Scene.
19. "Mike Perez knocked out Salam and won the WBA Inter-Continental belt". wbaboxing.com.
20. "Perez stops Ducar in ten". Fight News.
21. "Mike Perez halts Steven Ward in career-saving showdown". Boxing News Online.
22. "Mike Pérez Stops Steven Ward in Nine, Claims WBA Intercontinental Cruiserweight Title". wbaboxing.com.