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Sparring partner Ian Tims backs “unstoppable” Mike Perez to rule the cruiserweight division

Still sporting the scars of a war with Juho Haapoja and an EU Cruiserweight title clash he fought with limited vision after a first round clash of heads, Ian Tims [13(4)-3(2)] was ready to board a plane and head to Germany for another tough clash within a matter of days.

One of many occasions the Clondalkin hard man proved he was a ‘fight anyone, anywhere, anytime and even in any state’ kind of fighter.

However, ‘Timsey’ draws the line on that ethos when it comes to Mike Perez [21(13)-2(1)-1].

The Dubliner, who opens the broadcast (on Facebook Live) part of tomorrow Sky’s show with an intriguing Irish title fight with Luke Watkins, has been sparring the Cork-Cuban of late and to say he has been impressed is an understatement.

Tims believes the former world level heavyweight is set to make the most of what some have suggested is his fourth coming, and could clean up at World level in the cruiserweight division.

“Perez is a machine,” he told Irish-Boxing.com.

“Believe me! I sparred him twice in Cork and then on Friday he came up to Dublin and he did 12 rounds straight with four different sparring partners and he was chomping at the bit for every round.”

“Now, you know me I’d fight anyone at cruiserweight and I mean anyone, but I’d think twice about fighting him. It would want to be for big money, I’m telling ya!”

Predicting big things for ‘The Rebel,’ Tims outlined that “when that fella gets a good run he will take them all out no problem.”

“His movement, his speed, he is just unbelievable. I know he didn’t have it easy when he came over first, but the shape he is in now and the talent he has he will be unstoppable at the weight.”

The Burnett-Haskins undercard also features , Feargal McCrory v Paul Holt, James Tennyson v Ryan Doyle, Paul Hyland v Adam Dingsdale and appearances from Padraig McCrory, Matt Wilton, Paddy Gallagher, Sean McGoldrick, Sean Magee, and Tyrone McCullagh.

Tickets for ‘Belfast Boy’ on June 10th at the SSE Odyssey Arena cost £30, £40, £60, £100, and £150 (VIP), and can be bought HERE.

LISTEN: Gavan Casey and Joe O’Neill speak to Luke Keeler and Paddy Barnes on Episode 6 of The Irish Boxing Show:

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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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