BoxingScene Prospect Watch: Mikey "The Artist" Perez

By Ryan Burton

 

20 year old Puerto Rican lightweight up and comer Mikey "The Artist" Perez (8-0)  speaks to BoxingScene.com about last week's win over the previously undefeated prospect Francisco Reyes (5-1).  The 2008 Golden Gloves lightweight champion gives his thoughts on his performance and talks about his future plans in this BoxingScene exclusive interview.

 

BoxingScene.com:  First off congratulations on the win over Francisco Reyes.  Give us your thoughts on the fight.

 

Mikey Perez:  It was a good fight.  He was an undefeated guy and I stepped it up a notch.  I stepped it up on training and running.  He wasn't an easy opponent.

 

BoxingScene.com:  What made your team decide to step it up at this point in your career?  You had only seven pro fights at that point in your career.

 

Mikey Perez:  It was Golden Boy's idea.  They just threw him at me.  To me it was fine because I feel I can beat anybody.  He was 5-0 and I was undefeated and I got the win.  He was no slouch. 

 

BoxingScene.com:  You knocked him down in the second round and again in the sixth round.  Were you looking to knock him out in the sixth round?

 

Mikey Perez:  Yeah I was.  I was also trying to get him out of there in the second round (laughing) but he kept holding me.  He was using his hands holding and holding me.  If you watch the fight again you can see he was holding me the whole time and I was trying to flick him off.  He survived and that's about it.

 

BoxingScene.com:  How do you apply the experience you gained in this fight to future fights?

 

Mikey Perez:  You get something from every win.  He was a strong fighter.  He had a lot of heart and I take nothing away from him.  I was just the better man that night.

 

BoxingScene.com:  When do you plan on returning to the ring?

 

Mikey Perez:  On July 17th in Atlantic City.  It is a Joe DeGuardia show.  I sold a lot of tickets for this past fight.  They liked that and I guess they are really interested now and they want to get me on one of their other shows.  When they talked to Golden Boy they were told if they do everything that Golden Boy wants done then I can get on the card. 

 

BoxingScene.com:  Who do you like in the Cotto-Foreman fight?

 

Mikey Perez:  I think if Cotto can't stop him and it goes the distance I think Yuri Foreman might outbox him.  Actually right now I am sparring with Yuri to get him ready for Cotto.

 

BoxingScene.com:  Do you think Foreman's height and reach advantage will be a problem for Cotto?

 

Mikey Perez:  Yeah a little bit.  Yuri is the type of guy that he doesn't stay in front of you the whole fight.  He moves a lot.  He has a lot of movement.  He is a real slick smart fighter.

 

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

 

Mikey Perez:  Keep looking out for me man.  I am going to do my job in the ring.  Thanks for the support.