(JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – May 25, 2009) IBF Bantamweight contender Yonnhy Perez approaches his last days of preparation as he readies himself to face South African Silence Mabuza on his home turf.

    Having arrived to Johannesburg 10-days ago, Yonnhy can’t wait to lace them up and get home soon. “I feel fine, they have treated us great during our whole stay,” said Perez of the host city and its people. “Everybody is friendly and are making my time here enjoyable. But I did not come all the way here to be a tourist, I came here to win and to take away a mandatory position to challenge the IBF champion soon,” said the undefeated Colombian that resides in Santa Fe Springs, CA.

    “We arrived with plenty of time to get the altitude sickness out of the way and to get the time difference and jet lag behind us,” said Perez of his May 15 arrival into Johannesburg after a 30-hour-long adventure. “Now all I want is to get those gloves on my hands and let them fly,” said Perez before the press conference.

FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES

    The press conference took place at the Johannesburg television studios of media giant SABC Sport on Monday, May 25, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. local time. SABC will broadcast the event live in South Africa and the entire continent.

SILENCE MABUZA:
“Perez is a good fighter, he has speed, power, and a great amateur career. But he has never faced anybody of name in his career. I fought the best; I have vast experience in situations like this.

“Perez has not faced one quality opponent and now he is in front of me, he is blocking my way to the championship belt and I have to take him out of the way.

“I am very confident this fight will end in a knockout, I will win in spectacular fashion.”

YONNHY PEREZ:
“I know Mabuza from watching him on different DVDs. He is a tough fighter but he is not invincible.

“I have worked long and hard to be here today, he might think he will knock me out but he better be ready for 12 hard rounds.

“An opportunity like this only comes once in a lifetime and I will make the best of it. If he thinks he will clear me out of the ring early he is dead wrong. Things like this don’t happen every day and I know I will win.”

    The bout is presented by Branco Sports Promotions, in association with Thompson Boxing Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions and will take place at the Springs Indoor Arena just outside Johannesburg.  It will be televised nationwide in South Africa and in the entire continent by the premier broadcaster, SABC Sport, which services 30 million viewers.

    Ranked number six in the world by the IBF, 30-year old Yonnhy Perez (18-0, 13 KOs) is an exciting warrior who was adopted by Southern California fight fans after he arrived in the States from Cartagena, Colombia, he now resides at Santa Fe Springs. A staple on the local fight scene, Perez went worldwide in 2007 when he won the WBC Continental Americas title with a first round knockout of Samuel Lopez, and in June of 2008, he added the NABF crown by decisioning Oscar Andrade. In his last bout, on September 5, 2008, Perez stopped David Martinez in six rounds.

    A native of Johannesburg, 31-year old Silence Mabuza (22-2, 18 KOs) has long been considered one of the top 118-pounders in the world. A longtime IBO champion who defended his title eight times over two reigns, Mabuza’s only two pro losses have come to pound-for-pound standout Rafael Marquez. Winner of three in a row, Mabuza – who is ranked third in the world by the IBF – is eager for another shot at the title.

Contact:

Marylyn Aceves      Thompson Boxing    213-494-4929

 
Upon arriving to Tambo Intertnational Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, Perez speaks to the awaiting media.