Perez says Jennings first step in title tilt

Cork-based heavyweight Mike Perez will bid to clinch a shot at the world heavyweight title in Texas next month.

Perez will meet Bryant Jennings in an eliminator for the WBC title at the American Bank Centre in Corpus Christi on May 24 in a bout between the two unbeaten heavyweights records.

Perez, 28, said: “My dream has always been to fight for the heavyweight championship.

“This has been my dream since I first started boxing and I have sacrificed a lot to get this opportunity. Jennings and I have been on a crash course for a while and now, with so much at risk, I’m sure it will bring out the best in both of us. However, as good as Jennings is, I will be victorious.”

Unsurprisingly, Jennings has other ideas and he said: “The world has been desperately seeking a heavyweight to take over the division and I believe that person is me.

“By defeating Mike Perez, I will position myself as the mandatory position in the WBC. My promoter, Gary Shaw assures me that if I win this fight, I’ll be looking at a potential world title bout soon. My main focus is winning this fight against Perez and I’m doing everything in the gym to make that a reality.

Meanwhile Bernard Hopkins added the WBA belt to his IBF title with a masterful points win over Beibut Shumenov in Washington.

The 49-year-old Hopkins, boxing’s oldest world champion, confounded the younger Shumenov with his wily ring skills, flooring him in the 11th on the way to a split decision win.

He becomes the oldest man to unify world titles.

Shumenov, who is 19 years younger than the American, held his own in the early stages, but Hopkins started to dictate the pace.

His awkward style continued to frustrate Shumenov and Hopkins clinched the Kazakh to prevent him from fighting at close quarters.

Hopkins still retains enough power to hurt opponents as he dropped Shumenov in the 11th.

But he was denied a first stoppage win in over a decade, with Shumenov standing firm until the final bell. One judge strangely scored it 114-113 in Shumenov’s favour, but Hopkins’ dominance was reflected in the other two scores of 116-111.

When asked about his momentous win, Hopkins compared himself to one of the sport’s all-time greats.

“I describe my legacy like a Joe Frazier,” he said. “We get knocked down but we get back up. I’ll let the historians analyse and debate over the years as I grow a deeper grey beard watching soap operas.”