The ALA Gym’s Michael Domingo is preparing for a shot at the IBF world bantamweight title held by Yonnhy Perez of Colombia. The undefeated Perez won the title October last year with a 12 round unanimous decision win over Joseph Agbeko of Ghana.
This was a minor upset as Agbeko is known for stopping the bantamweight invasion of the Australian “Raging Bull” Vic Darchinyan. The 31 year old Perez started his career late at a ripe age of 26. He is known as an all action fighter.
Perez (20 W(KO 14)-L O) also holds a win over another quality fighter, Silence Mabuza of South Africa. Perez scored a come from behind TKO win in the 12th and last round in Mabuza’s hometown last may 2009.
The 30 year old Domingo (39 W (KO 17)-L 14- D 2 ) is way better than his record suggests as he has beaten name fighters like former WBO bantamweight champ Ratanachai Sor Vorapin (TKO 9) and perennial world title challenger Jose Navarro (TKO 8) in his last fight.
Michael Domingo (R) spars with a much bigger opponent Tuesday at the ALA Gym in Cebu as he prepares for his world title fight with Yonnhy Perez on March 6. Photo by Dong Secuya.
Domingo sports the ring monicker “Bruce Lee” because of his resemblance to the late Hong Kong martial arts superstar. He has been preparing since October 2009 alongside WBO minimumweight champ Donnie Nietes.
Domingo was initially slated to fight WBO champ Fernando Montiel but the Mexican chose to fight Ciso Morales instead for Pinoy Power III this February 14.
Domingo has even lost track of how many rounds he has sparred. “Maybe over a thousand.” he joked. He has seen fight films of Perez and is confident of winning. The plan is for Domingo to continue training at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym next month. His fight with Perez is planned for March.
