Perez Closes Training Camp
in California
May 13, 2009
Santa Fe Springs, CA (May 13, 2009) –
Undefeated bantamweight Yonnhy “El Colombiano” Perez finished 10 weeks
of preparation for his IBF Eliminator against Silence Mabuza. Perez will
make the long trip across the globe to face the South African in his
hometown of Johannesburg on Friday, May 29.
“The only thing on my mind is victory,” said Perez after his workout. “I
know I’m going to his backyard and I have to be aggressive, I need to be
able to win the crowd, the judges and beat Mabuza, all at the same
time.”
Perez leaves Los Angeles Wednesday afternoon and arrives in
Johannesburg, via Dubai, on Friday morning. “We are taking all the
necessary steps to adapt to the time difference and altitude of
Johannesburg,” said trainer Danny Zamora. “We have two more weeks of
preparation and we will close training camp in South Africa.”
The Colombian prospect has been waiting for this opportunity his whole
life. “This is a dream for me, I have been boxing since I was six years
old, and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. With this
victory I can potentially challenge Abgeko (current IBF bantamweight
champion) or Vic Darchinyan (both will fight on July 11.) I do this for
my two young sons in Colombia, I do this to give them a better life,”
concluded the dedicated father who saves all his hard earned money to
send to his native Cartagena, Colombia.
The bout, which is presented by Branco Sports Promotions, in association
with Thompson Boxing Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions, will take
place at the Springs Indoor Arena just outside Johannesburg, and will be
televised nationwide in South Africa and in the entire continent by the
premier broadcaster, SABC Sport, which services 30 million viewers.
Ranked number six in the world by the IBF, 30-year old Yonnhy Perez
(18-0, 13 KOs) is an exciting warrior who was adopted by Southern
California fight fans after he arrived in the States from Cartagena,
Colombia, he now resides at Santa Fe Springs. A staple on the local
fight scene, Perez went worldwide in 2007 when he won the WBC
Continental Americas title with a first round knockout of Samuel Lopez,
and in June of 2008, he added the NABF crown by decision Oscar Andrade.
In his last bout, on September 5, 2008, Perez stopped David Martinez in
six rounds.
A native of Johannesburg, 31-year old Silence Mabuza (22-2, 18 KOs) has
long been considered one of the top 118-pounders in the world. A
longtime IBO champion who defended his title eight times over two
reigns, Mabuza’s only two pro losses have come to pound-for-pound
standout Rafael Marquez. Winner of three in a row, Mabuza - who is
ranked third in the world by the IBF - is eager for another shot at the
title. Source/PR
