Dunne can’t wait to get back in the ring

BERNARD DUNNE has a new opponent to prepare for when he steps into the ring for his first fight of 2004 tomorrow night.

Ireland’s rising featherweight prospect had been scheduled to fight Mexican Orlando Soto in the 11th fight of his so far unbeaten professional career at San Jose’s HP Pavilion.

But the 23-year-old California- based Dubliner will now face the experienced Evangelio Perez, a 35-year-old from Panama with a record of 26 wins, 21 of them knockouts, 16 defeats and one draw.

Although Dunne should find his new opponent just as unlikely to cause him too many problems tomorrow night, there is a marked contrast between Soto and Perez.

Soto was a 25-year-old super featherweight who was coming down a division to fight Dunne, and was lightly- boxed, having fought just 12 times in the seven-and-a-quarter years since his professional debut in December 1996.

Perez, meanwhile, is much more battle-hardened.

He twice fought for the WBA world flyweight title, losing to Saen Sor Ploenchit in Thailand in 1994 and Jose Bonilla in Venezuela in 1997, both on points.

He moved up through the divisions, winning the WBA Fedelatin, or Latin American, title at super flyweight and then the WBC Continental Americas belt at bantamweight in March 2000.

Perez’s reign was short lived, however, and he has failed to win in 11 subsequent fights.

Nevertheless, Dunne is respectful of his new rival.

“He’s a top quality opponent with a lot of experience and he’ll probably bring something to the ring that I haven’t seen before,” Dunne said from his Santa Monica home.

“I know he fought for two world titles, boxed most of his career at bantamweight and has moved up now to featherweight, so he brings a lot into the fight.”

The Irishman is raring to get back in the ring again after the longest lay-off in his pro career.

He has not fought since November 7 when, after being sent to the canvas (another professional first) in the second round, he came back to defeat Alejandro Cruz Ramirez in an unanimous points decision.

Dunne also picked up a wrist injury in the bout which forced him to scratch a proposed December debut at New York’s Madison Square Garden on the undercard of Vitali Klitschko’s heavyweight showdown with Kirk Johnson.

Understandably, he is now champing at the bit to return to battle.

“I don’t really care who I fight at this stage, I’m ready to go.

“November was my last fight and I’m really psyched up for this one, looking forward to it and I can’t wait to get back in the ring.”

Trained in Los Angeles by the renowned Freddie Roach, Dunne is promoted by Sugar Ray Leonard and managed by fellow Dubliner Brian Peters.

The Dunne camp’s objective for 2004 is to plot a steady rise through the rankings with seven or eight fights before the end of the year, starting tomorrow night.

“This is a great fight to start the second phase of my career, if you like,” Dunne said.