Irish Cuban’s Garcia and Perez promise double impact on US debut

Brian Peters Promotions Press Release.

 

CORK, IRELAND (December 20th, 2011) – Unbeaten Irish      based Cuban duo Luis “El Leon” Garcia (11-0, 9      KO’s) and Mike “The Rebel” Perez (17-0, 12 KO’s)      are promising a double dose of seasons beatings when they make      their US debuts on the undercard of Jermain Taylor’s return at the      Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, California on December      30th.

Garcia’s takes on fellow undefeated prospect Alexander        “The Great” Johnson (12-0, 5 KO’s) in a bout which will      be broadcast live on ShoBox: The New Generation on the Showtime      network while Perez meets Friday “The 13th” Ahunanya (24-8-13, 8 KO’s) in a heavyweight bout scheduled for ten rounds.

Garcia and Perez are part of the Team Thomas stable based in Cork,      Ireland which also includes a third undefeated Cuban, current      world number 13 super bantamweight (WBA ratings) Alexei Collado      (15-0, 14 KO’s). All three were World Junior Champions in the      amateur ranks prior to relocating to Ireland to launch their pro      careers.

Garcia is confident that he can shine on his Stateside debut and      leave an impression on the Shobox viewers. “I’m excited to give US      fight fans a chance to show what I am about and to prove that I am      ready for anyone in the light heavyweight division,” revealed      Garcia who celebrates his 24th birthday on Friday.

Garcia’s last outing saw him record an impressive second round      stoppage win over former two time World Champion Byron Mitchell      and with Europe’s best light heavyweight’s running scared Garcia      has turned his attention to the World stage.

“I have had a few fights fall through this year because it’s very      difficult to find opponents for me in Europe. Johnson has accepted      the challenge, he’s unbeaten and ambitious so it’s a good fight      for the fans and the winner will definitely be part of the New      Generation.

“It’s an important fight for me and I am determined to make the      most of the opportunity. My fiancee is expecting our first child      just a few days after the fight so it is tough to leave her at      home while I go the US for this fight but I am making the      sacrifice for my family’s future and hopefully I will be back home      in Cork in time for the birth.”

Perez’s bout with Ahunanya will give him the opportunity to      showcase the punching power which saw him blitz the competition      earlier this year to win the first ever International      Prizefighter. Perez defeated Kertson Manswell, Gregroy Tony and      Tye Fields en route to lifting the trophy in the one night event      in London. In fact Perez needed a combined total of just 96      seconds to win the semi final and final and in his 3 fights he      beat opponents with a combined record of 79 wins (69 KO’s) against      just 5 losses.

Perez might be in for a longer nights work in California with the      ultra durable Ahunanya having dropped a points decision to Chris      Arreola in his last fight this past July. The Las Vegas based      Nigerian has also gone the distance with renowned puncher David      Tua and current WBA Champion, Alexander Povetkin. Ahunanya also      has a number of impressive scalps on his record having previously      burst the unbeaten bubble of Alonzo Butler, Shane Cameron and Nate      Jones while his record includes draws with Franklin Lawrence and      Dominick Guinn.

Perez has been preparing for his US debut by sparring highly      touted American prospect and Olympic medallist, Deontay Wilder and      veteran contender Larry Donald. While Ahunanya is the next      obstacle in his path his ultimate aim is a fight with either of      the Klitschko brothers.

“The Klitschko’s are easily the best guys out there right now at      Heavyweight but there is no serious competition for them out there      and I want to change that,” stressed Perez. “They are excellent      boxers but they are not the most entertaining to watch. The only      fireworks during their fights are during the ring entrances and I      can guarantee when I fight them there will be fireworks. A lot of      guys just want to fight the Klitschko’s for a big payday. They      don’t come to win but I will. For now I’m just concentrating on      this next fight but I would love the opportunity to take on either      of the Klitschkos.”

Although the weather in California in December might be a little      closer to the Cuban climate then a cold winter in Ireland neither      Perez or Garcia has any long term ambitions to move Stateside.      “Cuba is always in our hearts but Ireland is our home now said      Perez. We all have family and friends here now, I have a little      baby daughter and an Irish fiancee so I’m proud to fight with the      Irish and Cuban flags. We have been made very welcome here and      have great support from the Irish fans.”

The Team Thomas trio of Garcia, Perez and Collado are all coached      by the vastly experienced Colin Morgan. The Guyanese native      relocated from New York to Cork 18 months ago having previously      worked with World Champions such as Wayne Braithwaite, Guillermo      Jones, Elio Rojas.

The December 30th event is promoted by DiBella Entertainment with      Garcia V Johnson the first of three live bouts on the Shobox      telecast. The main event sees the return of former undisputed      middleweight world champion Jermain Taylor as he faces Jessie      Nicklow while in the co-featured bout super middleweight      contender, Andre Dirrell faces Darryl Cunningham.

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