Age: 20
Weight Class: Lightweight
Record: 7-0, 3 KO’s.
Ht: 5-8
Wt: 130 and 135
DOB: January 27, 1990 Birthplace: Newark, NJ
Trainer: Aroz “Terrific” Gist
Trains At: Ike & Randy’s Gym in Paterson, NJ
Describe your style? “I’m an all-around fighter. I can box, I can fight on the inside, I can do it all.”
What do you need to work on to improve? “Experience. Experience. I think experience is the most important thing in the ring. And I think everything else comes naturally to that, I got talent at that, so experience. That’s what I need – experience.”
How many years have you been boxing? “Since I was seven – 13. 13 years.”
Who was the first famous boxer that you met? “William Joppy at the gym in Newark. He was sparring in around 2002, 2003. Took some pictures with him, interacted a little bit. He said to keep up what I’m doing, I’m young, I still got a whole, full career going for myself. And just take my time.”
Favorite boxers to watch? “Jeremy Bryan, I’m a fan of him. He’s from Paterson, NJ. Big upset tonight (Bryan lost by KO on Pavlik-Martinez undercard). Glenn Tapia – another guy I grew up with. And Kelly Pavlik.”
Your greatest boxing moment so far? “Just traveling, meeting new people.”
Where have you been to? “I been everywhere. The only places I haven’t been to are Hawaii and Alaska [laughs].”
Worst boxing moment? “God willing, I haven’t had one yet. You know what I mean?”
Mosley vs. Mayweather, who do you see winning? “I think it will be Mayweather’s hardest fight. I think it’s gonna be a tough one for him. Mosley has the power to knock him out. I think he’ll box the whole fight. That’s my prediction – 12 rounds. I got Mayweather, 12 rounds.”
Why should boxing fans follow your career? “Because I’m an up and coming fighter. That’s hungry. I train hard, my work ethic is crazy and I’m just out here to entertain. I want to bring boxing back to the light. So it’s something I’m really looking forward to.”
Do you have any nicknames? “The Artist. Michaelangelo The Artist Perez.”
That’s a great nickname. Did you come up with that? “In the gym, this guy says the way I fight – I paint pictures of people’s faces. So they call me The Artist.”‘
Who are some of the other famous boxers you met besides William Joppy? “De La Hoya of course. Bernard Hopkins. Cotto. Kermit Cintron. Mayweather I met. Mosley.”
Which one of those guys was the coolest to you? “I would have to say Mosley. Mosley was more interactive with me, than all the other people. So I would say Mosley was real cool to be around. He was just more loose around me, not uptight. Just more real, down to earth.”