The backdrop: Perez (21-0-2, 5 KOs) is a very good boxer with little power who has been beating good fighters and is close to receiving a shot at a 130-pound title. The resident of Salinas, Calif., is ranked No. 4 by the WBO. Perez had two close calls over the past 15 months, winning majority decisions over Gilberto Sanchez Leon in May of last year and Dominic Salcido in October. He is coming off a shutout decision over Alejandro Rodriguez in April. This is a good opportunity for Perez because he hasn?t had much national TV exposure. Jimenez (20-3-1, 12 KOs) is a talented junior lightweight but has been inactive, fighting only twice in the past three years. The Puerto Rican handed Olympian Vicente Escobedo is first loss by a split decision — a big victory that seemed to portend significant success — but lost two subsequent important fights, a 12th-round KO to former titleholder Roman Martinez In 2007 and a decision to one-time champion Jesus Chavez in 2008. He is coming off a fifth-round junior welterweight TKO over Miguel Angel Munguia in February. He has gone up and down in weight, which also might not serve him in this fight.
Also fighting: James Parison vs. Paul Mendez, 6 rounds, middleweights
Rating the card: C+. Perez is a good fighter but doesn?t have the power that fans love. And Jimenez is a question mark given his inactivity and weight issues, although his experience against elite fighters is a plus.
Prediction: Perez has fought consistently and well. And this probably is just a small step up in opposition. He?ll win a clear unanimous decision.
