Mike Pérez TKO9 Steven Ward... Former heavyweight and cruiserweight contender Mike “The Rebel” Pérez, now 39 years old, took a step towards returning to the world level on Saturday night in Ipswich, England. Reminding the boxing world that he’s still a force in the cruiserweight division. The Cuban veteran broke down and ultimately stopped Steven Ward (15-4) via ninth-round TKO. From the opening bell, Pérez came forward with bad intentions. Digging to the body and applying steady pressure, Perez showed he wasn’t there for rounds. Ward tried to manage the distance behind a long jab, but the Cuban’s relentless pursuit and ring generalship gradually tilted the fight in his favor. The tide fully turned in the eighth, where Pérez upped the tempo and dropped Ward twice with punishing combinations. Though the British fighter showed heart, the damage had piled up. By the ninth, it was clear Ward was fading. Pérez closed the show with a right hand to the chin that floored Ward once again. With their fighter visibly dazed and taking more punishment, Ward’s corner wisely threw in the towel, giving Pérez the stoppage win.

 

With the victory, Pérez improves his record to 31-3-1 and plants his flag firmly back among the division’s contenders. As a heavyweight, Perez ended the career of Magomed Abdusalamov in 2013. As a cruiserweight, he lost a competitive title shot to Mairis Briedis in 2017. Perez has not lost since then, although he took nearly three years off from 2018-2021.

 

Once a feared name in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight ranks, the Cuban now finds himself knocking on the door of a world title shot. “I’ve been working hard, and I’m ready for the big fights again,” said Pérez after the win. “I want the champions — I know I belong with them.”

 

Ward, for his part, accepted the setback with class, acknowledging Pérez’s dominance and vowing to rebuild stronger.