Luis Perez to defend title against Chapo Vargas

01/11/2006

Luis Perez to defend title against Chapo Vargas

Press Release: The non-televised portion of Don King’s show in Phoenix, Arizona this weekend will feature IBF junior bantamweight champion Luis “El Demoledor” Perez, making the fourth defense of his title, against veteran Ricardo “Chapo” Vargas. Perez (24-1, 15 KOs) became champion in his first world title appearance against defending champion Felix “Macho” Machado on Jan. 4, 2003.  Perez won a close split-decision.  In the immediate rematch, Perez proved his mettle by scoring a clear unanimous-decision win later that year. His lone career loss came on September 7, 2000, when he met Vernie Torres and suffered a unanimous decision loss.  In his last appearance, Perez faced a stiff challenge on May 6, 2006 that many thought he lost, but in the end, Perez came away with a split-decision win over Dimitri “The Baby” Kirilov.  Perez’s job will get no easier against the always-tough Vargas (39-12-3, 13 KOs), who is moving down from 118 pounds to 115.  This will be Vargas’ second shot at a world title.  His first world title appearance came against Rafael Marquez on May 28, 2005 when he fought gamely but lost by unanimous decision.