Alex Perez Talks Arroyo Fight, Judah-Santa Cruz, More

By Ryan Burton

 

Alex Perez (11-0) took time out of his training camp to talk to BoxingScene.com about his upcoming fight with Vincent Arroyo (10-1).  The bout will be televised on ESPN Friday Night Fights on July 16th as the co-feature to Zab Judah-Jose Armando Santa Cruz.  Perez talks about the keys to fight and fighting at home in Newark, New Jersey in this exclusive interview.  Perez has been shot and stabbed but he feels that it has only made him hungrier to make a name for himself in the boxing world.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Tell us about your upcoming fight with Vincent Arroyo.

 

Alex Perez:  It is July 16th and it is going to be televised on ESPN2.  I have been training hard and I am ready to go.

 

BoxingScene.com: You must be excited about having your fight televised on national TV.

 

Alex Perez:  It feels good man.  I am anxious.  I am ready to step in the ring like tomorrow but we are about three weeks away.  It is going to be even worse by the time I get in there.  Right now I am at 100% so in three more weeks from now I am going to be at 120% when I get in the ring.

 

BoxingScene.com:  How has sparring and your overall training gone for this fight?

 

Alex Perez:  My sparring has been good and my camp has been real good so .  I got three more weeks so there isn't a lot but there is still a little more to do to get prepared.  As of right now everything has been good so far.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Have you seen any tape on Arroyo?  What do you have to look out for?

 

Alex Perez:  I have seen a little video on him.  Not too much really.  To be honest with you, it is my time.  I have been patiently waiting and I am ready.  I am doing this for myself but most importantly I am doing it for my family.  I am so hungry right now.  Boxing is my life.  I am not a part time fighter with a part time job.  This is what I do.  This right here, boxing, is what I do 24/7.  I don't have no side job.  Boxing is my full time job and I am real hungry and I am ready.

 

BoxingScene.com:  How does it feel to be fighting at home in Newark in front of your family and friends?

 

Alex Perez:  That is going to be a great feeling.  On top of that it provides a boost and so much motivation with family and friends there supporting you and pushing you.  It makes it even better.  It is going to be real special.

 

BoxingScene.com:  You have had a rough upbringing.  You have been shot and stabbed.  Do those tragedies and setbacks feed into your motivation and drive you in the sport of boxing?

 

Alex Perez:  Definitely.  That helps 120% you know what I am saying?  Not physically but mentally it helps me.  I am ready for whatever.

 

BoxingScene.com:  I don't know all the details on those incidents.  Did the doctors tell you that you wouldn't be able to box again?  What are the details?

 

Alex Perez:  I definitely heard that.  See I was shot in the chest and shot in my ribs so I was in intensive care for like  two weeks.  I was in the ICU too.  After all that I just sat down and prayed to the man upstairs, my God and just said God please give me a second chance and I will make the most of it.  Just give me that second chance.  He gave it to me and I am here.  I am so ready for this.  Words can't explain how ready for this I am and how excited I feel to have this opportunity.

 

BoxingScene.com:  If you get the win like you plan who do you want to fight next?

 

Alex Perez:  Right now I am just focused on Vincent Arroyo.  After the fight then I will talk about this, that and the other.  Right now my mind is focused on Arroyo.  I don't sleep on nobody.  I don't look past nobody.  I am just focused on Vincent Arroyo for July 16th and that is it.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Zab Judah fights Jose Armando Santa Cruz in the main event.  Who do you like in that fight?

 

Alex Perez:  I don't know nothing about Santa Cruz.  I have never heard of him.  I am not sure what he brings to the table.  Hopefully Zab is hungry and he wants to get back in that spotlight.  For me not to know much about Santa Cruz I can't really make a prediction.  I never sleep on nobody so I am not really sure.  I can't really answer that.  Zab has been in the spotlight before and if he is hungry he should be ready for whoever on July 16th.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Do you have a message for the fans?

 

Alex Perez:  Just look out for Alex Perez.  I am definitely a fan friendly fighter.  You will see on July 16th and you will definitely love what you see.  I am an exciting fighter and God willing I will come out with the win.