Mike Perez (boxer)

Last updated
Mike Perez
Born
Ismaikel Pérez

(1985-10-20) 20 October 1985 (age 39)
Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
NationalityCuban
Irish
Other namesThe Rebel
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Reach76 in (193 cm)
Stance Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights36
Wins31
Wins by KO22
Losses3
Draws1
No contests1
Medal record
Representing Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba
World Junior Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2004 Jeju Light heavyweight

Ismaikel "Mike" Perez (born 20 October 1985) is a Cuban-Irish professional boxer. He has challenged once for the WBC cruiserweight title in 2017. At regional level, he has held multiple heavyweight and cruiserweight championships; and won the Prizefighter series in 2011.

Contents

Background

Perez was a successful amateur boxer in Cuba. In 2005, while competing with the Cuban team at a tournament in Liverpool, he caught the eye of Irish boxing promoter Gary Hyde. Hyde later expressed his desire to turn Perez professional, and to do that he had to arrange his defection from Cuba. In December 2007, under cover of darkness, Perez swam offshore from Cuba, to a boat manned by a Mexican cartel. After transferring through two other boats, enduring storms and depleted food and water supplies, Perez eventually reached Mexican soil nine days later. The Cartel then held him there, until they secured final payment from organizer, Gary Hyde. Upon receiving it, Perez was released, allowing him to board a flight to his new home. On 10 January 2008, Perez touched down in Ireland, where he settled in Cork along with fellow Cubans Alexei Acosta and Luis García. Today, he fights under the nickname Mike "The Rebel" Perez, in reference to Cork which is known as the "Rebel County". [1] [2]

Amateur career

Perez had over 400 amateur bouts. In 2004, he won gold at the World Junior Championships in Jeju City, South Korea. The southpaw beat Englishman Danny Price in the semifinals, before defeating Russian fighter Nikolay Pavlyukov 38–16 in the final. Perez later beat fighters such as Kenneth Egan and Constantin Bejenaru, but moved up to 201 lbs and initially struggled against world class competition like Luis Ortiz, who beat him in 2006 to become the Cuban national champion. Perez avenged that loss in the 2007 championships, but lost to Osmay Acosta in that year's final. [3]

Professional career

Early career

In 2008, Perez turned professional under Cuban coach Nicholas Cruz Hernández, who had also moved to Ireland in 1988.

On 7 May 2011, Perez won the International Prizefighter tournament, held in London, England. Perez faced Kertson Manswell and Grégory Tony, before defeating American Tye Fields in the final to take home the £32,000 prize. After the fight, Perez stated the victory would earn him a world title shot in the near future. [4] [5]

He then fought and won against American journeyman Zack Page in a rematch on 9 November 2011, in York Hall, Bethnal Green, London. [6]

Perez made his United States debut on 30 December 2011, against the Nigerian heavyweight Friday Ahunanya. The location for the fight was Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California. Perez won by unanimous decision, winning every round on the judges' scorecards. [7]

After a hiatus in 2012, Perez returned to the ring on 4 May 2013, winning a 10-round unanimous decision against American Travis Walker on the undercard of Wladimir Klitschko vs. Francesco Pianeta.

Perez vs. Abdusalomov

On 2 November 2013, he made his HBO debut against hard-hitting prospect Magomed Abdusalomov (18–0 18 KOs) at Madison Square Garden. In a rare southpaw vs. southpaw heaveyweight match, Perez won by unanimous decision after a brutally-fought 10 rounds. [8] The fight left Abdusalamov permanently and severely injured after suffering a stroke during surgery to remove a blood clot in his brain. [9] Abdusalamov's family later sued the New York State Athletic Commission due to negligence. The lawsuit ended with a $22 million settlement. [10] Perez's form dipped after the tragic incident, as he drew and lost many of his next fights. He would later reveal that he struggled with alcoholism during this time, to the point of getting into the ring drunk a few times. [11]

Perez vs. Takam

Perez returned on 18 January 2014 to fight Carlos Takam at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Takam and Perez fought to a majority draw. The fight was shown on HBO on the Jean Pascal vs Lucian Bute under card. [12]

Perez vs. Jennings

Perez then lost a narrow split decision to Bryant Jennings on 26 July 2014, with the judges’ scorecards reading 114–113 and 115–112 for Jennings, and 114–113 for Perez. Referee Harvey Dock controversially deducted a point from Perez in the final round for hitting Jennings on the break. [13]

Perez vs. Povetkin

On 22 May 2015 Perez was brutally knocked out by Alexander Povetkin 91 seconds into a WBC heavyweight title eliminator. Following the loss to Povetkin, Perez spent over two years away from the ring, before returning in 2017 as a cruiserweight.

World Boxing Super Series

On 6 July, Perez was announced as the final entrant to the cruiserweight World Boxing Super Series (WBSS). [14]

Perez vs. Briedis

At the Draft Gala, which took place on 8 July in Monte Carlo, Perez was chosen by WBC champion Mairis Briedis as his quarter final opponent. [15] On 22 July, the WBSS announced the fight would take place in Briedis' home country of Latvia at the Riga Arena, Riga, on 30 September 2017. This would be the 8th time Briedis would fight at his hometown arena. [16] [17]

Briedis won a scrappy fight, beating Perez by unanimous decision after 12 rounds (116–110, 115–111, 114–112). Perez was deducted a point in round 3 following an accidental clash of heads. Briedis was also docked a point during round 10 for excessive holding. With the win, Briedis moved on to the semi-finals to face the eventual winner Oleksandr Usyk. [18]

Perez vs. Salam

In his next bout, Perez fought Tony Salam. Perez won the fight via third round TKO. [19]

Personal life

Perez resides in Cork, Ireland with his wife Camille.[ citation needed ]

Professional boxing record

36 fights31 wins3 losses
By knockout221
By decision92
Draws1
No contests1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
36NC31–3–1 (1)Christian Fabian LuisNC4 (10), 3:008 Aug 2025 Benina Martyrs Stadium, Benghazi, LibyaPerez connected an illegal unintentional blow after bell sounded which rendered Luis unable to continue
35Win31–3–1Steven WardTKO9 (10), 0:497 Jun 2025 Portman Road, Ipswich, England
34Win30–3–1Israel DuffusTKO1 (8), 0:3415 Dec 2024 Europa Point Sports Complex, Gibraltar
33Win29–3–1Rashad KarimovTKO1 (8), 1:3914 Oct 2023 Rudolf Weber-Arena, Oberhausen, Germany
32Win28–3–1Adnan DeronjaTKO1 (8)5 Aug 2023Hotel Holiday World, Benalmádena, Spain
31Win27–3–1Vasil DucarRTD10 (12), 3:0026 Mar 2022 Aviation Club Tennis Centre, Dubai, UAERetained WBA Inter-Continental cruiserweight title
30Win26–3–1Jose Gregorio UlrichTKO6 (10), 0:5313 Nov 2021Classic Remise, Duesseldorf, Germany
29Win25–3–1Tony SalamKO4 (12), 2:1313 Aug 2021 Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, UAEWon vacant WBA Inter-Continental cruiserweight title
28Win24–3–1 Keith Tapia UD1020 Oct 2018 CFE Arena, Orlando, Florida, U.S.Won vacant WBA Fedelatin cruiserweight title
27Win23–3–1Pablo Matias MagriniTKO1 (8), 0:3017 Feb 2018WIT Arena, Waterford, Ireland
26Loss22–3–1 Mairis Briedis UD12 30 Sep 2017 Arena Riga, Riga, LatviaFor WBC cruiserweight title;
World Boxing Super Series: cruiserweight quarter-finals
25Win22–2–1Viktor BiscakKO1 (6), 0:2910 Jun 2017 Odyssey Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland
24Loss21–2–1 Alexander Povetkin KO1 (12), 1:3122 May 2015 Luzhniki Palace of Sports, Moscow, RussiaFor WBC Silver heavyweight title
23Win21–1–1 Darnell Wilson TKO2 (8), 0:595 Feb 2015The Hangar, Costa Mesa, California, U.S.
22Loss20–1–1 Bryant Jennings SD1226 Jul 2014The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, U.S.
21Draw20–0–1 Carlos Takam MD1018 Jan 2014 Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, CanadaRetained WBC–USNBC heavyweight title
20Win20–0 Magomed Abdusalamov UD102 Nov 2013 The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Won WBC–USNBC heavyweight title
19Win19–0 Travis Walker UD104 May 2013 SAP Arena, Mannheim, Germany
18Win18–0 Friday Ahunanya UD1030 Dec 2011 Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, U.S.
17Win17–0Zack PagePTS89 Nov 2011York Hall, London, England
16Win16–0 Tye Fields TKO1 (3), 0:427 May 2011Alexandra Palace, London, EnglandPrizefighter 18: The International Heavyweights – final
15Win15–0 Grégory Tony TKO1 (3), 0:547 May 2011Alexandra Palace, London, EnglandPrizefighter 18: The International Heavyweights – semi-final
14Win14–0 Kertson Manswell UD37 May 2011 Alexandra Palace, London, England Prizefighter 18: The International Heavyweights – quarter-final
13Win13–0Ismail AbdoulPTS84 Mar 2011 Doncaster Dome, Doncaster, England
12Win12–0Pāvels DolgovsTKO1 (6), 1:416 Nov 2010University Arena, Limerick, Ireland
11Win11–0Jason BarnettKO1 (8), 2:4026 Jun 2010Neptune Sports Arena, Cork, Ireland
10Win10–0Tomas MrazekTKO3 (4), 1:4815 May 2010University Arena, Limerick, Ireland
9Win9–0Edgars KalnārsTKO1 (4), 0:4815 May 2010University Arena, Limerick, Ireland
8Win8–0Zack PagePTS828 Feb 2009Lightfoot Centre, Newcastle, England
7Win7–0Harry Duiven JrKO2 (6), 0:2217 Jan 2009Silver Springs Moran Hotel, Cork, Ireland
6Win6–0Luis Oscar RicailTKO1 (6), 1:2426 Oct 2008Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, Ireland
5Win5–0Claudemir DiasKO1 (8), 0:2213 Sep 2008Neptune Sports Arena, Cork, Ireland
4Win4–0Howard DaleyTKO1 (4), 1:2712 Apr 2008Breaffy House Resort, Castlebar, Ireland
3Win3–0Tomasz ZeprzalkaPTS622 Mar 2008 National Boxing Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
2Win2–0Sándor BaloghTKO1 (4), 0:412 Feb 2008University Arena, Limerick, Ireland
1Win1–0Jevgēņijs StamburskisTKO1 (4), 1:3526 Jan 2008Neptune Sports Arena, Cork, Ireland

References

  1. ↑ "Rebel Rising – Cork's Mike Perez". Pundit Arena. July 2014.
  2. ↑ "The Cuban boxer from Cork who is one win away from a world title shot". The Cuban boxer from Cork who is one win away from a world title shot. July 2014.
  3. ↑ AdminMJ. "Mike Perez". LEGACY Sports Management (in German). Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  4. ↑ "Perez powers to victory". SkySports.
  5. ↑ "Mike Perez". BoxRec. Retrieved 2011-03-11.
  6. ↑ "BoxRec - Mike Perez". boxrec.com.
  7. ↑ Archived October 29, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ Scott Christ (2 November 2013). "Golovkin vs Stevens results: Mike Perez wins brutal decision over Magomed Abdusalamov". Bad Left Hook.
  9. ↑ Tim Smith. "Mike Perez: Title Shot Ahead, Disabled Foe Behind". Bleacher Report.
  10. ↑ "Boxer gets record $22 million settlement from New York in brain injury case". 8 September 2017.
  11. ↑ ""I was getting into the ring drunk" – Mike Perez reveals demons from tragic Mago fight - Irish Boxing". 26 April 2017.
  12. ↑ "Mike Perez-Carlos Takam on Pascal-Bute Undercard - Boxing News". boxingscene.com.
  13. ↑ "Jennings edges Perez by split decision". 26 July 2014.
  14. ↑ "Avni Yildrim, Robert Brant added to WBSS 168 tourney, Mike Perez completes cruiser line-up | World Boxing News". Archived from the original on 2017-07-06.
  15. ↑ "Usyk-Huck, Groves-Cox headline Super Series". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  16. ↑ "Mairis Briedis-Mike Perez set for September 30 - The Ring". The Ring. 2017-07-22. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
  17. ↑ "Mairis Briedis vs. Mike Perez on September 30 in Latvia - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
  18. ↑ "Mairis Briedis Decisions Mike Perez, Set to Fight Usyk Next".
  19. ↑ "Perez vs Salam - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
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