Rebel Perez faces toughest test
Manager and promoter Gary Hyde said no expense had been spared in bringing Cuban Perez up to speed in time for the clash with Diaz.
“We have done everything possible to take him to this level, we have brought in sparring partners from all over the world, no expense has been spared,” said Hyde at yesterday’s weigh-in at the Montenotte Leisure Centre. “When he came to Ireland from Cuba, it was always going to be a culture shock and we gave him time to come to terms with that. Now he has two other Cuban boxers in the camp with him and he is enjoying life.”
With his initiation into the pro ranks complete — he has four wins from four — Hyde feels the time has come to get down to serious business.
“That was why we went for an unbeaten heavyweight for this contest,” he said. “We are finished with journeymen and from now on we will be seeking experienced opponents with at least an 80% success rate.”
Diaz has eight out of eight that includes seven KOs but he tipped the scales yesterday at a phenomenal 127kg — around 19 stone — leaving the Perez camp with mixed feelings.
“I must admit I was concerned about his athleticism when I saw him,” said Hyde. “He has never weighed anything like that before but his record is impressive and he has to be regarded as a serious opponent.”
Hyde added that few of Perez’s sparring partners, which have included some of Europe’s top heavyweights, have been able to match him for speed or solid punching power.
“Now is the time for him to deliver that type of performance in the ring,” he said. “He has trained harder than ever before and he wants to impress.
“I have no doubt we will see three future world champions tomorrow night in Perez, Luis Garcia and Alexi Acosta. All three are former world junior champions and have decisions over three silver medallists from this year’s Olympic Games including our own Kenny Egan so, from that point of view, fans are in for a real treat.”
This is the first time three Cuban fighters have appeared on the same professional card and the tournament is attracting worldwide attention.
Argentinean trainer Guillermo Silva was yesterday predicting great things for all three Cubans, Perez particularly.
“This will be a very important fight for him — a fight he must win,” he said. “But an opponent with an unbeaten record is always dangerous and has to be taken very seriously. The fact that Diaz has a big KO record means he has to be treated with respect.”
Cork light middleweight Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan gets pride of place as the chief fight on the undercard against Sergejs Velodics from Latvia. His trainer Packie Collins said the fight is “another step up the stairway to success”. “He certainly has the potential to be great,” said Collins.
O’Sullivan said he wants to become the best fighter at his weight, then set his sights higher.
“I will move to Boston for a shot at the Massachusetts State championship before the end of next year,” he said. “Once I achieve those targets I will start thinking about a world title.”
After tonight’s fight he will join Perez on the October Bank Holiday weekend show at Gleneagles Killarney.
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