Mike Perez (boxer)
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Ismaikel "Mike" Perez (born 20 October 1985) is a Cuban-Irish professional boxer. He has challenged once for the WBC cruiserweight title in 2017. At regional level, he has held multiple heavyweight and cruiserweight championships; and won the Prizefighter series in 2011.
Background
Perez was a successful amateur boxer in Cuba. In 2005, while competing with the Cuban team at a tournament in Liverpool, he caught the eye of Irish boxing promoter Gary Hyde. Hyde later expressed his desire to turn Perez professional, and to do that he had to arrange his defection from Cuba. In December 2007, under cover of darkness, Perez swam offshore from Cuba, to a boat manned by a Mexican cartel. After transferring through two other boats, enduring storms and depleted food and water supplies, Perez eventually reached Mexican soil nine days later. The Cartel then held him there, until they secured final payment from organizer, Gary Hyde. Upon receiving it, Perez was released, allowing him to board a flight to his new home. On 10 January 2008, Perez touched down in Ireland, where he settled in Cork along with fellow Cubans Alexei Acosta and Luis García. Today, he fights under the nickname Mike "The Rebel" Perez, in reference to Cork which is known as the "Rebel County".[1][2]
Amateur career
Perez had over 400 amateur bouts. In 2004, he won gold at the World Junior Championships in Jeju City, South Korea. The southpaw beat Englishman Danny Price in the semifinals, before defeating Russian fighter Nikolay Pavlyukov 38-16 in the final. Perez later beat fighters such as Kenneth Egan and Constantin Bejenaru, but moved up to 201 lbs and initially struggled against world class competition like Luis Ortiz, who beat him in 2006 to become the Cuban national champion. Perez avenged that loss in the 2007 championships, but lost to Osmay Acosta in that year's final.[3]
Professional career
Early career
In 2008, Perez turned professional under Cuban coach Nicholas Cruz Hernández, who had also moved to Ireland in 1988.
On 7 May 2011, Perez won the International Prizefighter tournament, held in London, England. Perez faced Kertson Manswell and Grégory Tony, before defeating American Tye Fields in the final to take home the £32,000 prize. After the fight, Perez stated the victory would earn him a world title shot in the near future.[4][5]
He then fought and won against American journeyman Zack Page in a rematch on 9 November 2011, in York Hall, Bethnal Green, London.[6]
Perez made his United States debut on 30 December 2011, against the Nigerian heavyweight Friday Ahunanya. The location for the fight was Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California. Perez won by unanimous decision, winning every round on the judges' scorecards.[7]
After a hiatus in 2012, Perez returned to the ring on 4 May 2013, winning a 10-round unanimous decision against American Travis Walker on the undercard of Wladimir Klitschko vs. Francesco Pianeta.
Perez vs. Abdusalomov
On 2 November 2013, he made his HBO debut against hard-hitting prospect Magomed Abdusalomov (18-0 18 KOs) at Madison Square Garden. In a rare southpaw vs. southpaw heaveyweight match, Perez won by unanimous decision after a brutally-fought 10 rounds.[8] The fight left Abdusalamov permanently and severely injured after suffering a stroke during surgery to remove a blood clot in his brain.[9] Abdusalamov's family later sued the New York State Athletic Commission due to negligence. The lawsuit ended with a $22 million settlement.[10] Perez's form dipped after the tragic incident, as he drew and lost many of his next fights. He would later reveal that he struggled with alcoholism during this time, to the point of getting into the ring drunk a few times.[11]
Perez vs. Takam
Perez returned on 18 January 2014 to fight Carlos Takam at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Takam and Perez fought to a majority draw. The fight was shown on HBO on the Jean Pascal vs Lucian Bute under card.[12]
Perez vs. Jennings
Perez then lost a narrow split decision to Bryant Jennings on 26 July 2014, with the judges’ scorecards reading 114-113 and 115-112 for Jennings, and 114-113 for Perez. Referee Harvey Dock controversially deducted a point from Perez in the final round for hitting Jennings on the break.[13]
Perez vs. Povetkin
On 22 May 2015 Perez was brutally knocked out by Alexander Povetkin 91 seconds into a WBC heavyweight title eliminator. Following the loss to Povetkin, Perez spent over two years away from the ring, before returning in 2017 as a cruiserweight.
World Boxing Super Series
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On 6 July, Perez was announced as the final entrant to the cruiserweight World Boxing Super Series (WBSS).[14]
Perez vs. Briedis
At the Draft Gala, which took place on 8 July in Monte Carlo, Perez was chosen by WBC champion Mairis Briedis as his quarter final opponent.[15] On 22 July, the WBSS announced the fight would take place in Briedis' home country of Latvia at the Riga Arena, Riga, on 30 September 2017. This would be the 8th time Briedis would fight at his hometown arena.[16][17]
Briedis won a scrappy fight, beating Perez by unanimous decision after 12 rounds (116-110, 115-111, 114-112). Perez was deducted a point in round 3 following an accidental clash of heads. Briedis was also docked a point during round 10 for excessive holding. With the win, Briedis moved on to the semi-finals to face the eventual winner Oleksandr Usyk.[18]
Perez vs. Salam
In his next bout, Perez fought Tony Salam. Perez won the fight via third round TKO.[19]
Personal life
Perez resides in Cork, Ireland with his wife Camille.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Professional boxing record
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | Win | 31–3–1 | Steven Ward | TKO | 9 (10), 0:49Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 7 Jun 2025 | Portman Road, Ipswich, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 34 | Win | 30–3–1 | Israel Duffus | TKO | 1 (8), 0:34Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 15 Dec 2024 | Europa Point Sports Complex, GibraltarScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 33 | Win | 29–3–1 | Rashad Karimov | TKO | 1 (8), 1:39Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 14 Oct 2023 | Rudolf Weber-Arena, Oberhausen, GermanyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 32 | Win | 28–3–1 | Adnan Deronja | TKO | 1 (8) | 5 Aug 2023 | Hotel Holiday World, Benalmádena, SpainScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 31 | Win | 27–3–1 | Vasil Ducar | RTD | 10 (12), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 26 Mar 2022 | Aviation Club Tennis Centre, Dubai, UAEScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained WBA Inter-Continental cruiserweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 30 | Win | 26–3–1 | Jose Gregorio Ulrich | TKO | 6 (10), 0:53Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 13 Nov 2021 | Classic Remise, Duesseldorf, GermanyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 29 | Win | 25–3–1 | Tony Salam | KO | 4 (12), 2:13Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 13 Aug 2021 | Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, UAEScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Won vacant WBA Inter-Continental cruiserweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 28 | Win | 24–3–1 | Keith Tapia | UD | 10 | 20 Oct 2018 | CFE Arena, Orlando, Florida, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Won vacant WBA Fedelatin cruiserweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 27 | Win | 23–3–1 | Pablo Matias Magrini | TKO | 1 (8), 0:30Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 17 Feb 2018 | WIT Arena, Waterford, IrelandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 26 | Loss | 22–3–1 | Mairis Briedis | UD | 12 | 30 Sep 2017 | Arena Riga, Riga, LatviaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | For WBC cruiserweight title; World Boxing Super Series: cruiserweight quarter-finalsScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 25 | Win | 22–2–1 | Viktor Biscak | KO | 1 (6), 0:29Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 10 Jun 2017 | Odyssey Arena, Belfast, Northern IrelandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 24 | Loss | 21–2–1 | Alexander Povetkin | KO | 1 (12), 1:31Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 22 May 2015 | Luzhniki Palace of Sports, Moscow, RussiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | For WBC Silver heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 23 | Win | 21–1–1 | Darnell Wilson | TKO | 2 (8), 0:59Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 5 Feb 2015 | The Hangar, Costa Mesa, California, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 22 | Loss | 20–1–1 | Bryant Jennings | SD | 12 | 26 Jul 2014 | The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 21 | Template:DrawDraw | 20–0–1 | Carlos Takam | MD | 10 | 18 Jan 2014 | Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, CanadaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained WBC–USNBC heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | Magomed Abdusalamov | UD | 10 | 2 Nov 2013 | The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Won WBC–USNBC heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Travis Walker | UD | 10 | 4 May 2013 | SAP Arena, Mannheim, GermanyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Friday Ahunanya | UD | 10 | 30 Dec 2011 | Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Zack Page | PTS | 8 | 9 Nov 2011 | York Hall, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Tye Fields | TKO | 1 (3), 0:42Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 7 May 2011 | Alexandra Palace, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Prizefighter 18: The International Heavyweights – finalScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Grégory Tony | TKO | 1 (3), 0:54Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 7 May 2011 | Alexandra Palace, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Prizefighter 18: The International Heavyweights – semi-finalScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Kertson Manswell | UD | 3 | 7 May 2011 | Alexandra Palace, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Prizefighter 18: The International Heavyweights – quarter-finalScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Ismail Abdoul | PTS | 8 | 4 Mar 2011 | Doncaster Dome, Doncaster, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Pāvels Dolgovs | TKO | 1 (6), 1:41Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 6 Nov 2010 | University Arena, Limerick, IrelandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Jason Barnett | KO | 1 (8), 2:40Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 26 Jun 2010 | Neptune Sports Arena, Cork, IrelandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Tomas Mrazek | TKO | 3 (4), 1:48Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 15 May 2010 | University Arena, Limerick, IrelandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Edgars Kalnārs | TKO | 1 (4), 0:48Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 15 May 2010 | University Arena, Limerick, IrelandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Zack Page | PTS | 8 | 28 Feb 2009 | Lightfoot Centre, Newcastle, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Harry Duiven Jr | KO | 2 (6), 0:22Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 17 Jan 2009 | Silver Springs Moran Hotel, Cork, IrelandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Luis Oscar Ricail | TKO | 1 (6), 1:24Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 26 Oct 2008 | Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, IrelandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Claudemir Dias | KO | 1 (8), 0:22Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 13 Sep 2008 | Neptune Sports Arena, Cork, IrelandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Howard Daley | TKO | 1 (4), 1:27Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 12 Apr 2008 | Breaffy House Resort, Castlebar, IrelandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Tomasz Zeprzalka | PTS | 6 | 22 Mar 2008 | National Boxing Stadium, Dublin, IrelandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Sándor Balogh | TKO | 1 (4), 0:41Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 2 Feb 2008 | University Arena, Limerick, IrelandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Jevgēņijs Stamburskis | TKO | 1 (4), 1:35Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 26 Jan 2008 | Neptune Sports Arena, Cork, IrelandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
References
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