COLOMBIA CELEBRATES ITS NEWEST CHAMPION, YONNHY PEREZ

Press Release: After a whirlwind journey that led him to the top of the boxing world on October 31st, the night he took the IBF bantamweight title from Joseph Agbeko, Yonnhy Perez is enjoying the fruits of his labor while being celebrated back home in his country of Colombia all week. The week begins for Perez on November 19th, as WBA President Gilberto Mendoza recognizes Perez as a Colombian hero and invites him to the general assembly of the organization’s 88th convention in Medellin.

Following this presentation, Perez and his promoters, Thompson Boxing Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions, travel to the Hotel Caribe in Cartagena on Friday, November 20th, for the official Yonnhy Perez Hometown Victory Press Conference, which will be attended by not only the local media, the President of the Colombian Boxing Federation, and many local Council members and sports dignitaries, but by Cartagena Mayor Judith Pinedo.

The next stop on Perez’ tour will be an emotional one, as he visits the gym where he learned the sport of boxing. While there, he will meet with his original trainer and also donate money, clothing, and equipment to the gym.

Finally, Perez and his team will wrap the week up on Saturday, November 21st with a celebration in the neighborhood where he grew up, Barrio La Delicias. This celebration – which was put together by Belsario Hurtado, the President of the local youth program, Project Cartagena - will include a parade, music, dancing, and food, and is capped off by a speech from the champ himself, who will let the youth of his neighborhood know that anything is possible if you work hard.

Yonnhy Perez is living proof.