Perez dispenser: Albuquerque boxer nabs interim flyweight title
Intuitive + unpredictable = WBA interim flyweight champion. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, Albuquerque’s Abraham Perez, facing down the toughest opponent of his career on Sunday in front of an international audience on DAZN, defeated former world champion Jonathan Gonzalez by split
In Grand Rapids, Michigan, Albuquerque’s Abraham Perez, facing down the toughest opponent of his career on Sunday in front of an international audience on DAZN, defeated former world champion Jonathan Gonzalez by split decision.
After 12 physical yet tactical rounds, one judge scored the bout for Gonzalez 115-113. Two judges, however, saw it 115-113 for Perez — awarding Perez, the challenger, the interim title belt.
The Journal, scoring off the DAZN streaming, had it 116-112 for Perez.
Perez improved his still-spotless record to 15-0 with seven knockouts. Gonzalez, of Caguas, Puerto Rico, is 29-5-1.
A relatively subdued Perez was his harshest critic during a brief post-fight interview in the ring.
Asked if he felt he’d done enough to win, Perez said, “Yes, but I still don’t feel like that was my best.”
Asked what he felt he could do better, he said, “Just stay a little bit more on my feet, stay more sharp with my punches.
“Shoot, I’m a flyweight (112 pounds). I should throw more (punches) than that.”
