Perez vows to defeat Darchinyan by knockout in The Bantamweight Tournament

PanARMENIAN.Net - Former IBF bantamweight champion Yonnhy Perez (20-1-1, 14 KOs), of Santa Fe Springs, proclaimed himself fit and ready for his important 12-round fight against two-division world champion Vic Darchinyan (35-3-1, 27 KOs), of Sydney, Australia, in The Bantamweight Tournament: Winner Takes All on Saturday, April 23 LIVE on SHOWTIME® (10:30 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles.

In the tournament finals, Joseph King Kong Agbeko (28-2, 22 KOs), of the Bronx, N.Y. will defend his IBF 118-pound title against undefeated rising star Abner Mares (21-0-1, 13 KOs), of Hawaiian Gardens, Calif.

Perez will be making his initial start since he suffered the lone loss of his career on a 12-round decision to Agbeko in a rematch on Dec. 11, 2010. In his first defense of the title he took from Agbeko on Oct. 31, 2009, Perez boxed a draw with Mares on May 22, 2010, fightnews.com reported.

“I want my title back and the best way to do that is to win my next fight and then challenge the winner between (Joseph) Agbeko and (Abner) Mares,” Perez said. “Both Agbeko and Mares got a shot at my title and they were great fights. A rematch against either would be just as exciting as our first fights.

“I’m totally recharged and ready to win by knockout. When I win this fight, I will be back in the game,” noted Perez.

For his part, Darchinyan said he will win by knockout. Commenting on this, Perez said: “Vic Darchinyan can make any comment he would like to make. It’s a free country and he has the right. (But) His words don’t motivate me. I get my inspiration and my motivation from my family.

“Darchinyan is a great fighter but he has faded in his last couple of losses. Abner Mares put him at the door and I am going to put him out. The only thing Darchinyan has going for him is his power punch. I am a natural bantamweight; he is not.”

As for Agbeko-Mares bout, Perez said: “I have much respect for Abner Mares and Joseph Agbeko because they are both great fighters. However, Abner Mares is a great friend of mine and I believe he will win.”