“I don’t care where I fight” – Mike Perez warns Mairis Briedis ahead of Latvian title tussle

A Cuban defector, based in Cork and having already fought as a pro in six different countries, home advantage isn’t a big deal for Mike Perez [22(14)-2(1)-1].

‘The Rebel’ challenges for the WBC cruiserweight title next month, making the trip across Europe to Latvia to take on reigning champion Mairis Briedis [22(18)-0].

A quarter final in the inaugural season of the World Boxing Super Series, a transformed Perez is confident he will claim title number one in Riga on September 30th before going on to win the ground-breaking tournament outright.

“Fighting in Latvia isn’t an issue for me,” said 31-year old Perez. “I don’t care where I fight, I’ll fight anywhere. I’m feeling good, I’m confident, and I’m looking forward to Riga.”

“I really believe I can win the Muhammad Ali Trophy. That is just how I see it. I think I will win, I can not see anyone else winning it. I am the best cruiserweight in the competition.”

The winner of the Baltic bout will face the winner of the September 9th clash between WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk and Marco Huck in January

Briedis, who won the vacant WBC belt against Huck in April, is proud to bring the first world title fight to his home country, and the 32 year old warned Perez to expect a hostile atmosphere.

The reigning champion said that “I’m really happy with being able to start the World Boxing Super Series at home in front of my own crowd.”

“For Latvia this will be the first major world championship bout in history so I hope to see a sold out arena,” said Briedis.

“From my previous experience with the Latvian crowd I can already tell Mike Perez that boxing in front of Riga crowd will not be easy for him. The boxing community around the world will learn how passionate and loud Latvian fans be!”

“We fight to win the Muhammad Ali trophy, but I am also putting my world title at stake. This is a big thing.”

“My preparation camp has been going very well so far and I can assure my fans that I’ll be at my best when the 30th of September arrives.”