Dubliner Dunne claims 11th win in US

Dubliner Bernard Dunne resumed his fledgling featherweight career in the early hours of this morning as he out-pointed Panamanian Evangelino Perez over six rounds at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, California.

His first fight since damaging his right hand in his last win against Alejandro Ramirez in November, Dunne showed enough to claim his eleventh win of his two-year-old professional career.

The 24-year-old, based in Santa Monica, California, landed two impressive body shots and a flurry at the first round’s bell after his opponent, backed by a career 21 knock-outs, worked himself onto the ropes.

Perez’ right eye began to swell in the second round and a brace of hard jabs from Dunne had the South American shuddering in the third.

Dunne worked his left cross as the fourth came to an end, and with Perez dropping his defence, the Irishman drew blood from Perez’ nose with a square-on shot at the bell.

Dunne, who was originally due to fight Mexican Orlando Soto on the four-fight bill, went for the knockout in the final round to add to his eight previous stoppages, working Perez’ head.

And the veteran of 13 years, who fought Jose Bonilla for the WBA flyweight title in 1997, was reduced to holding in the final minutes as Dunne was awarded a unanimous decision by the judges.

Manager Brian Peters wants his charge to be challenging for State side titles, NABF and NABO championships, by the year’s end.

“This was another solid performance from Bernard, and the start of what will be a big year for him”, explained Peters afterwards.

“He should be in a position hopefully at the end of the year to fight for an American belt, and then move on to fight for a European title, ideally in Dublin.”

Dunne’s next appearance will be top of the bill at a charity fight night on March 27.