Unbeaten bantamweight prospect Yhonny Perez makes his main event debut Friday night as he faces veteran Samuel Lopez for a regional 118-pound title in Ontario, California. It figures to be the toughest test yet for the former Colombian amateur star and he's looking forward to the challenge.

"I know this fight will be a difficult fight," Perez said, speaking through interpreter Jose Zamora. "I've been training hard not only physically but intellectually."

"Some may see it as a small championship, it's still something great to me. Any opponent in front of me, I'm going to fight until the end. I know after this fight I will be victorious."

Glance at Perez's resume and you can understand the 28-year-old's self-confidence. The native of the northern seaport town of Cartagena had a distinguished amateur career in which he claims to have won 230 of 247 fights. A 2003 Pan American Games bronze medalist and former South American champion, Perez moved to the U.S. two years ago to pursue a professional career.

He began to turn heads in the Southern California boxing scene with his flashy skills and a string of impressive performances. But a bout last November with Arturo Bracamontes served as a wakeup call for "El Colombiano".

Ahead on points going into the fourth round, a dazed Perez was forced to hold on after getting caught with a Bracamontes right. He rebounded to stop the tough Mexican two rounds later, and learned an invaluable lesson.

"When the bell rang and I went back to the corner that's when reality hit me," he recalled. "Danny (trainer Danny Zamora) gave me the instruction 'you have to keep up your hands. You have to box the same way you box the first round.'"

"Overall, it was a great experience for me."

In his last bout, Perez won an eight round unanimous decision over Oscar Andrade. Promoted by Thompson Boxing and managed by Mike Vital, his record stands at 10-0 with 6 KOs.

Trainer Danny Zamora says the plan is for Yhonny is to challenge for “a bigger title at 115 or 118” by the end of the year if Perez continues his winning ways. A win over Lopez will bring Perez a step closer to his dream of winning a championship for Colombia.

“I want to bring back a title to my country. I want to show a great example to my son.”


Yhonny would like to thank his team, the Zamora family, and his sponsors.

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