LUIS Alberto Perez has already been to the top, winning two world titles in different weight divisions. But after losing his title in 2007 to Joseph Agbeko, Perez is eager to become a world champion again, and a win over highly-rated Cebuano AJ Banal this Saturday will open a window of opportunities for him.
?Perez was a champion in the 115 and 118 pounds. If we win, we have several offers to fight for a world championship. That is why we have to win,? Mario Antonio Garcia Fonseca, Perez?s manager, said in a press conference at the Maya Mexican Restaurant yesterday. ?This fight is very important for us.?
Fonseca said Perez has been offered two world title fights, if he wins against the 22-year-old Banal. One is a bout for the interim World Boxing Council bantamweight belt and the other is a crack at the World Boxing Organization super bantamweight title against current holder, Wilfredo Vazquez Jr.
Well-prepared
Perez, who is off a second-round stoppage victory over unheralded Freddy Madrigal this year, said he has prepared well for this fight, logging 100 rounds of sparring against different southpaws to mimic Banal?s style.
?Whatever happens?happens. I?m here to fight. I?m here to win,? said Perez, who assured a victory.
The 32-year-old Perez, the former International Boxing Federation super flyweight and bantamweight titleholder, has a record of 26-4 with 17 knockouts.
?We are sure that Perez is the strongest opponent that Banal has fought in his career.
We came here all the way from the other side of the world not to lose, we came here to win,? said Fonseca.
Fonseca said that he has seen a few flaws in Banal?s technique and that Perez will capitalize on them on fight night.
?I saw Banal?s fights. I have the key for victory,? he said.
Goal
Like Perez, Mexican Bladimir Hernandez also flew halfway across the world with one goal, and that is to beat Mark Jason Melligen, one of the most promising Filipino boxers.
?I?ve seen his fight a couple of times. His weakness as what I know is the body,? said the 25-year-old Hernandez.
Hernandez is coming off a camp training of four months for this fight. He has been sparring with one of the best young fighters in Mexico, the 20-year-old phenom Saul Alvarez.
?It will be a good fight,? promised Hernandez.
