Press Release: One night before Samuel Peter defends his WBC interim heavyweight title against Jameel McCline on Showtime, talented, unbeaten Yonnhy Perez (13-0, 10 KOs) will collide with Alexander Fedorov (18-3-1, 10 KOs) in the ten-round main event on ShoBox: The New Generation (11 p.m. ET/PT delayed on the west coast).
In the co-feature, former amateur standout Mickey Bey Jr. (8-0, five KOs), will face Castulo Gonzalez (9-3, three KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight bout.
Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, in association with Thompson Boxing Promotions, will present the doubleheader from Omega Products International in Corona, Calif.
WEIGHTS: Perez weighed 117 pounds; Fedorov 118; Bey weighed 129 ½, Gonzalez 128 1/2.
YONNHY PEREZ: “I know people have a lot of trouble with my first name (pronounced “Johnny”) but I have always spelled it like that. People always spell it wrong, and that’s OK with me because I know if I keep winning eventually everybody will learn it and get it spelled right.
“This is very exciting for me and a great opportunity to be fighting on Showtime at this point in my career. I am determined to put on a good show so I will be asked back.
“I do not know a lot about my opponent but that is the way I like it. I have never been interested in knowing a lot about the guy I fight. Once the bell rings and we meet in the ring, we will learn a lot and get to know each other very well.
“I am always in good shape and run a lot to stay in good shape. With 245 amateur fights, I feel I have a lot of experience so I do not spar all the time. But I spar 2-3 times a week when I know I have a fight coming.
“I am really looking forward to fighting Friday night.’’
ALEXANDER FEDOROV:“I am here to put on constant pressure, fight my best and win. This is too good of an opportunity to pass up. Winning this fight will open a lot of doors for me.
“I have had a lot of fights at higher weights but making this weight will not be a problem. Despite having just 10 days notice, I feel fine. I have been in the United States for seven days getting acclimated. I had some trouble adapting to the time change, but have felt better after each day. I will be 100 percent Friday.
“Deep down, I feel like I have never really, but that’s what happens when you fight on the road a lot. I am not as connected promoter-wise as some fighters, but I will be after Friday.
“I do not know much about Perez except that he is tall, and I have sparred with a lot of tall guys.’’
MICKEY BEY, JR.:“It took me about six months to get over fact I got pneumonia and missed out fighting in the 2004 Olympic Games for the United States, but I got over it and now am very happy with the way my pro career is going.
“I live, sleep and breathe boxing. I train all the time. I think my determination and focus outside the ring separates me from other fighters. I take this job very seriously and live my life accordingly.
“People may think of me as a boxer but I have power. Ask my opponents. They will tell you I can hit.
“This will be my toughest fight, but style-wise it shapes up perfectly for me. Gonzalez loves to come forward and throw punches. But he is in for a surprise if he thinks I am going to spend the whole fight running. If he doesn’t respect my punching power now, he will.’’
CASTULO GONZALEZ:“Bey was a good amateur, but so was I. I had 255 amateur fights. I have gone more than eight rounds four times; he has only gone six rounds twice. So, let’s see how he does in the later rounds after I wear him down in the early ones.
“This is going to be a real fight and a very important one for me. People see three losses, and think I can’t fight, but I can fight and you will see it Friday.
“I am very confident. People think Bey is the favorite, but in my mind I am the one who is supposed to win. I have fought on television before, he hasn’t. The pressure is on him, not me.
“I hope he comes to fight and not just run. But even if he doesn’t fight, there is still going to be a fight. I guarantee you are going to get a fight from me.’’
