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Mike Perez is “in the best shape of my life” for Mairis Briedis world title fight


Mike Perez [22(14)-2(1)-1] has promised fans that they will finally see him at his very best at the end of this month.

The Cork-Cuban challenges Latvia’s WBC cruiserweight champion Mairis Briedis [22(18)-0] on Saturday September 30th at the Riga Arena in the quarter finals of the World Boxing Super Series.

‘The Rebel’ Perez has undergone a transformation ahead of the fight. Formerly a top level heavyweight, the Caribbean puncher suffered personal demons in the aftermath of his tragic win over Magomed Abdusalamov. This contributed to a draw against Carlos Takam, and defeats to Bryant Jennings and Alexander Povetkin.

Off the radar for two years, the Watergrasshill fighter re-emerged this year, minus almost 50lbs in weight. Now at cruiser, Perez returned on the Ryan Burnett v Lee Haskins undercard in Belfast in June, but fans only got to see him in action for mere seconds as Slovakian champ Victor Biscak was disposed with minimum effort.

It will be a completely different story against Baltic boxer Briedis, and Perez believes that, after years of glimpses, we will now finally see him at his best.

Speaking at today’s press conference in Riga, Perez promised that fans will see “something that they have never seen before. You might have seen a little bit of my talent, a little of this, a little of that, but now you will see everything together.”

“I’ve prepared for anything. This is a really interesting fight and I’m completely looking forward to it. I will definitely get the victory. I’m ready for whatever happens, whatever the fight brings I’ll be ready for.”

“I feel good, I am ready to go. I am ready to fight now, I would fight now. I am feeling in the best shape of my life.”

breidis-perez-Mark-Hermenau

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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