Perez Closes Training Camp and Ready to Defend Title and Begin Showtime Bantamweight Tournament:
IBF bantamweight champion Yonnhy “El Colombiano” Perez (20-0-1, 14 KOs) of Colombia takes on former bantamweight champion Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko (27-2, 22 KOs) of Ghana in a rematch this Saturday, December 11th at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA. In this interview provided by Ricardo Conde of Fight News.com, Perez discusses the upcoming bout and his preparations, as well as the entire bantamweight tournament and his plans to succeed.
In the co-main event, which also features former title challenger and world-ranked bantamweight contender Abner Mares (20-0-1, 13 KOs) of Mexico taking on IBO bantamweight champion Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan (35-2-1, 27 KOs). In his last outing, Perez battled Abner Mares (20-0-1, 13 KOs) to a majority draw in an exciting back and forth action bout this past May at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA.
We caught up Yonnhy Perez and had a moment to sit down and talk to him as he finished preparations for his upcoming bout, here’s what he had to say:
You have just finished preparations for your upcoming fight which will be a rematch against Joseph Agbeko, how was training camp for this fight?
The training camp for this fight was the same as I’ve always done and had for all of my fights here in Santa Fe Springs where I live. I had a great camp like always, we’re feeling strong and we’ve prepared very well for this fight.
Did you do anything different in this training camp that you haven’t done for any of your previous fights?
No, nothing different, all we did is prepare, prepare and concentrate very hard on winning this fight, everything has been the same, my trainer, the gym, and everything is the same.
Having fought Joseph Agbeko once already, tell us what’s your opinion of him as a fighter?
He’s a very good fighter, he throws a lot of punches but he’s also a little dirty, he likes to head butt a lot. I think its going to be a good fight, just like the first one and all I can say about him is that he is a good fighter.
With less than a week until your fight with Agbeko, how do you feel right now?
Right now I’m feeling 100% and I’ve been ready for the fight for some time now. The only thing I’m doing right now is a light workout to maintain the weight but other than that we’re just waiting for the sound of the bell.
Give us your thoughts on this fight; do you think the fight will go the distance, or end early, what’s your prediction on how the fight will go?
Well, I really don’t have a prediction on how the fight will go; the only prediction I can give is that I’m going to win this fight. I’ve always trained to go the distance if I have to but if it finishes early then that’s even better but we’re prepared to go all 12 rounds.
What kind of statement are you looking to make in your rematch with Joseph Agbeko; will you be looking for the knockout?
No, not necessarily, the only thing we’re going to look for is the victory like I have always done. I’m only worried about winning not necessarily knocking him out. Obviously, if the knockout presents itself then we’ll go for it but I’m only concerned with winning the fight.
Let’s talk a little bit about your last fight with Abner Mares, which resulted in a majority draw, do you feel you won that fight?
Yes, I feel I won the fight but most of of Mexicans were mostly all there for him and there were a lot of things that favored him but yes I feel I won the fight.
Do you feel Abner Mares has been your toughest opponent to date?
No, he wasn’t the toughest fighter I’ve faced in my career. The toughest fighter I’ve faced so far was in South Africa, Silence Mabuza, which was a title eliminator before I won my title. I really felt his punches and of all the fighters I’ve faced he’s been the toughest plus going to South Africa, getting adjusted to the time, the location all that was very difficult so I feel that was my toughest fight.
What’s your opinion of Abner Mares as a fighter and would you like a rematch with him?
Yes, of course, why not, Abner Mares is a great fighter and a good person. I think that in his fight against Darchinyan he’s going to win and hopefully we can meet after that and face each other in the finals.
What does it mean to you to be a part of SHOWTIME’s Bantamweight Tournament?
Well, I think that this is one of the best things SHOWTIME’s done. I’m just very thankful to God and SHOWTIME for having chosen me to be part of this and I think it’s a great thing that SHOWTIME is doing to determine who the best is at 118.
What are some of your goals for the New Year?
Well, the first thing is to win this tournament and once I win I’d like to face Fernando Montiel or Nonito Donaire to unify the belts. I would fight with either one of them and they would be a great fights, but first I have to get through Abgeko this Saturday and make it to the tournament finals.
What’s your opinion of the current bantamweight division?
It’s a very difficult division to be in and one of the best right now that has a lot of great champions and contenders and we’re willing to fight them all to determine who’s the best in the division.
In closing, is there anything you would like to say to your fans?
Yes, I’d like to thank everyone and continue to have faith in me that I’ll give you the best fight I can and not to worry “El Colombiano” will be there this Saturday giving it my all and coming out with the win. I’d like to thank God, my promoters Thompson Boxing and Gary Shaw, my new manager Frank Espinoza, Showtime and all the fans that will be there and those who will be watching on TV.
