HEAT IS ON -Final Press
Conference Quotes from Silence Mabuza and Yonnhy Perez
May 27, 2009
(Original date: May 25th)
(DATE) (JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – May
25, 2009) IBF Bantamweight contender Yonnhy Perez approaches his last
days of preparation as he readies himself to face South African Silence
Mabuza on his home turf.
Silence Mabuza, Promoter, Branco Milenkovic and Yonnhy
Perez during press conference.
Having arrived to Johannesburg 10-days
ago, Yonnhy can’t wait to lace them up and get home soon. “I feel fine,
they have treated us great during our whole stay,” said Perez of the
host city and its people. “Everybody is friendly and are making my time
here enjoyable. But I did not come all the way here to be a tourist, I
came here to win and to take away a mandatory position to challenge the
IBF champion soon,” said the undefeated Colombian that resides in Santa
Fe Springs, CA.
“We arrived with plenty of time to get the altitude sickness out of the
way and to get the time difference and jet lag behind us,” said Perez of
his May 15 arrival into Johannesburg after a 30-hour-long adventure.
“Now all I want is to get those gloves on my hands and let them fly,”
said Perez before the press conference.
FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
The press conference took place at the Johannesburg television studios
of media giant SABC Sport on Monday, May 25, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. local
time. SABC will broadcast the event live in South Africa and the entire
continent.
SILENCE MABUZA:
“Perez is a good fighter, he has speed, power, and a great amateur
career. But he has never faced anybody of name in his career. I fought
the best; I have vast experience in situations like this.
“Perez has not faced one quality opponent and now he is in front of me,
he is blocking my way to the championship belt and I have to take him
out of the way.
“I am very confident this fight will end in a knockout, I will win in
spectacular fashion.”
YONNHY PEREZ:
“I know Mabuza from watching him on different DVDs. He is a tough
fighter but he is not invincible.
“I have worked long and hard to be here today, he might think he will
knock me out but he better be ready for 12 hard rounds.
“An opportunity like this only comes once in a lifetime and I will make
the best of it. If he thinks he will clear me out of the ring early he
is dead wrong. Things like this don’t happen every day and I know I will
win.”
The bout is presented by Branco Sports Promotions, in association with
Thompson Boxing Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions and will take place
at the Springs Indoor Arena just outside Johannesburg. It 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 decisioning 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.
Face to Face: Silence Mabuza and Yonnhy Perez
TWO LIONS MEET: Yonnhy Perez pets a four-month-old lion
cub during a visit the regional wildlife park.
Hitting the mitts in the winter morning of Johannesburg
Upon arriving to Tambo Intertnational Airport in Johannesburg, South
Africa, Perez speaks to the awaiting media.
Photos Courtesy of: Walter Sarnoi/Thompson Boxing Promotions
