Los Angeles, CA (May 10, 2010) Undefeated IBF Bantamweight World Champion YONNHY PEREZ (20-0, 14 KO’s) held a media workout earlier today at the Santa Fe Springs Community Activity Center. After the training session the press had an opportunity to speak with the world champion about the preparation for his upcoming title defense against top-rated contender Abner Mares (20-0,13 KO’s). Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Gary Shaw Productions, Espinoza Boxing Promotions and Zanfer Promotions, the Perez-Mares world title tilt will be the co-main event to Vazquez-Marquez IV: Once and Four All, which will take place Saturday, May 22, at STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, Calif.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will televise both Perez vs. Mares and the 12-round featherweight Vazquez-Marquez IV rumble live nationally at 9 P.M. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) on SHOWTIME®.
Tickets priced at $250, $125, $75, $50 and $25 are available online at www.ticketmaster.com, via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are also available at the STAPLES Center Box Office..
QUOTES
“Everyone wants what I have (referring to his title). I have a good friend in Abner Mares but I also have a responsibility to my family, my career and myself.
I bring my hunger and desire into the ring. The desire that I have is complemented by the training that I do in here at the gym. My preparation is a huge part of this whole thing.
I am hungry because I want to win. When I am in the ring I want it all. I know it can be my best fight or worst fight, my last fight or the opportunity for a new challenge.
“I’ll go up to the ring and give it my all. The winner is the only one who celebrates at the end of the fight.
I am not sitting here thinking I am the champ. That would be the wrong mindset. I am sitting here knowing that I have to prepare in order to win. I still have responsibilities at home.”
The important key to win this fight is my preparation and my conditioning. I have power in both hands and box very well but all is based on preparation.
On fighting his friend Abner Mares
“We have to fight. It’s part of the job.
Each of us has a responsibility to give all that we got. I have known Abner for 7 or 8 years because I was on the Colombian national team and he was on the Mexican national team. We faced each other in the amateurs three times and I know his style and what he is capable of in the ring. He is basically the same fighter as he was in the amateurs – – aggressive and busy fighter inside of the ring and if he has made some adjustments as a pro I will keep those to myself because I will capitalize on his mistakes.
A friendship is a friendship but on May 22nd we’re going to break up that bond for about one hour to get down to business.
I am not really concerned about any specific thing that Abner Mares brings to the ring that night. There is really nothing to concern myself about.
Realistically, with the training camp I had, there is no way that Abner will have a chance or even access to the door that will lead him to the championship. Let’s be clear, I am the champion, he has to try to take it away.
That night is going to be mine, not Abner’s.
On his last visit to his home town of Cartagena, Colombia
There is a difference when I visit Colombia. Now that I have champion status it makes a huge difference. I was overwhelmed with how I was received and so was my wife, she could hardly breathe! I remember I needed dental work and I didn’t get charged for services. My father made a comment and told me that he knew people loved and cared for me in Cartagena but that he just didn’t know how much.
Vazquez and Marquez are great fighters. I give them all the respect – because of all of the wars and battles they had to bring them to this 4th time facing each other. But I don’t think that Mares vs. Perez will be that far behind them when it comes to the type of show we will put on. It’s going to be a competition between their fight and this one. We will compete to see whose best fight of the night.
The crowd will not affect me. I have faced mostly Mexican fighters and all their chanting fans. On May 22nd, I will have my promoters, my corner and a lot of fans there to support me. My closest friend is my trainer Danny Zamora and he will leave me in the center of ring to fight that night. It will just be Abner against me. I am going to get the job done.”
Abner Mares – Yonnhy Perez Heating Up!
“No one is taking this belt from me,” stated I.B.F. bantamweight champion Yonnhy Perez. Perez (20-0, 14 KO’s), a Colombian based in L.A. is set to defend his title against Mexican Abner Mares (20-0, 13 KO’s) underneath the main event of the Vazquez vs. Marquez ”Once and Four All” card set to take place at The Staples Center on May 22nd.
“After all the sacrifices I’ve endured, I’m not letting Mares take my belt. I’ve worked too hard for it,” he continued. “I know he’s coming prepared to win but I’m in the best shape of my life and ready to defend.”
Mares, a highly regarded contender and former Olympian who trains in the Coachella Valley, assures that the crown will change hands on May 22nd. “This is my first world title shot and I’m looking to be a legend. I want to be the next great Mexican fighter. I know he’s a warrior but I have to fight the best to prove myself to the fans,” he said. “He’s going to be a challenge because he’s tall, powerful and strong but I’ll find a way to make this fight my fight.”
Perez remembers Mares all too well since they fought each other three times as amateurs with Mares winning twice. “Those were different times and I was a different fighter back then. I’m bigger, faster and stronger than ever.”
Although he’s been training and fighting in southern California for five years, he thinks about his country every day. “I miss my wife and my kids. I miss my people and my culture,” he says. “I returned home after I won my world title against Joseph Agbeko. It was a great feeling to arrive in Colombia with a championship for my fans and it’ll be great to return after I defend it against Mares.”
Mares thinks this will be his night. He also believes the fight will be a treat for boxing fans. “This will be my greatest performance. My fans will be happy,” Mares said. “We’re both hungry and eager to please the public and that’s what’s going to make for a great fight.”
Mares’ well known manager, Frank Espinoza, also thinks it will be his fighter getting his hand raised. “Yonnhy Perez is a great fighter and great champion but I have a lot of faith in Abner and his abilities. He’s ready for this. It’s his time,” Espinoza stated. “On May 22nd we’re going to have a new champion.”
Perez’s trainer Danny Zamora chimed in with his opinion. “This match-up is special. The fans are coming to the Staples center to see a war with Marquez and Vazquez but it’ll be Perez and Mares that will steal the show,” said Zamora. “You have two fighters with impressive amateur backgrounds who are highly skilled and ready to fight to the end for the world title. Yonnhy’s been in the ring with tougher fighters than Abner and that’s going to make all the difference. There’s no doubt Yonnhy will win in what should be a classic.”
Perez says Mares will find himself in a very difficult situation. “I’ve fought much bigger fighters than him. My size will be an advantage,” he stated. “He’s fought a lot of very good fighters in his professional career but he’s never fought anyone like me.”
Mares doesn’t believe size will be an issue. “I’ll use my speed and footwork and all the skills that god gave me,” Mares stated. “This is like war. Whatever it takes to win, I’ll do. I’ve been training incredibly hard and maybe I haven’t fought anyone like him as a pro but he hasn’t fought someone like me either.”
Yonnhy Perez summed up his view for the fans. “May 22nd will be a great night for those who have followed me. They’re going to see me at my best in one of the most important fights of my career,” he said. “I’m very appreciative of the fans who watched me fight in Los Angeles and they’re going to be rewarded that night with another great fight. If Abner Mares thinks he’s going to take my title he’s got another thing coming. The title is mine and it’s staying in Colombia.”
Mares vs. Perez will be the semi-main event for the Israel Vazquez vs. Rafael Marquez IV “Once and Four All” card. Tickets priced at $250, $125, $75, $50 and $25 are available online at ticketmaster.com, by calling Ticketmaster at (800)745-3000 and at The Staples Center Box Office.