Perez Training Photo Gallery & Quotes:
In the midst of what he is calling the best training camp of his life, IBF bantamweight champion Yohnny Perez is looking forward to leaving his gym and heading to the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington for his December 11th showdown with Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko, who he defeated in their exciting first bout in October of 2009.
“This training camp has been great, I’m in the best shape of my life, and I can’t wait to put on a great show for my fans on December 11th,” said the unbeaten Perez (20-0-1) a native of Cartagena, Colombia who is co-promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and Thompson Boxing Promotions.
The Perez-Agbeko rematch, which will be televised on Showtime Championship Boxing beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) , is the first in the network’s “Super Four” bantamweight tournament. In the other semifinal matchup on December 11th, Vic Darchinyan battles Abner Mares, who fought Perez to a 12 round draw in their title bout on May 22nd.
“The Darchinyan-Mares fight is a great matchup and I can’t wait to see it,” said Perez. “Of course, Mares and I have some history, so I wouldn’t mind settling the score with him, but it doesn’t matter who I fight next as long as I walk out of the ring as the bantamweight champion of the world.”
Two notable fighters won’t be participating in this tournament though, Fernando Montiel and Nonito Donaire, robbing fight fans of even more intriguing matchups.
“It’s disappointing that Montiel and Donaire don’t want to test themselves against the best in the division, but things like this don’t surprise me anymore,” said Perez. “I’m just happy that there are four true warriors in this tournament, and when it’s over, the world will know who the best is. I’m getting ready for a tough fight with Agbeko on December 11th, but I’m confident that when the “Super Four” is over, I’ll be the winner.”
