by Chris 'Polish Hitman' Morris
The big news for Colorado based boxing this week was the bout between Manuel ‘Manos’ Perez and ‘Vicious’ Victor Ortiz. The fight came about 6 weeks ago and Perez busted his ass getting ready for the showdown.
It was truly heartbreaking to see Perez stopped, first KO of his career, in the third round on Showtime Extreme. At the weigh in Perez had choice words for Ortiz, working to get under the skin of the favored fighter. He was successful and even got Ortiz to give him a shove. While many were talking about the fighters going nose to nose, I was noticing something much different.
I saw a 135lber getting ready to fight full fledged welterweight.
Perez had a good first round, although I scored it for Ortiz. I could see Perez was going to bring it for the full 8, reduced from 10 rounds. He was working the body with combos and finishing exchanges. Perez had more success in the second, a round I scored for him. He simply outworked Ortiz. In the third, Ortiz got out of first gear and starting coming on.
Ortiz caught Perez with straight left that buckled him, falling into the ropes. Perez got up quickly, maybe too quickly, with his mouthpiece in hand. As soon as he got to his feet, he stumbled. I could hear my wife on the couch next to me. ‘Oh no’. Yes, oh no was right. Perez was in big trouble. I’ve been covering Perez his entire career, he has only been wobbled a handful of times in over 30 pro bouts and he’s been in with heavy hitters, like Brandon Rios. He was actually very smart in holding his mouthpiece and when Vic Drakulich asked him to come forward, he paused, tried to put his mouthpiece in, to buy a few precious seconds of recovery. Drakulich obviously saw the stumble and looking into Perez’ eyes, he made the call to stop the fight.
Many were disappointed with the stoppage. I wasn’t. I was actually glad the fight was over and Perez wasn’t seriously injured. The punch that got Perez in trouble was a left that landed mid route. If Drakulich lets the fight continue and Ortiz hits Perez with a flush shot at the end of a punch, it would be ugly.
Perez was upset with the stoppage, as you know he would be. He’s always been a warrior, always giving it his all. If he was going to go out, he preferred it be on his shield. He’s not afraid to lose or take punishment. He fought 8 hard rounds with Eduardo Escobedo with a punctured lung. He knows fans want a definitive result from fights and if that means he gets knocked out, so be it.
The reality of the situation is that Perez simply has no business fighting at 147lbs. Perez’ walking weight is about that amount. Ortiz starts in the 160’s or 170 and cuts to make 47. Then re-hydrates to probably 160-165lbs. Perez was eating normally and didn’t cut a single pound. He came to the ring under 150lbs I’m sure of it. At this point we have ‘welterweight’ in with a super middleweight. It’s simply too much for Perez to overcome. The disadvantage is too great.
Where does Perez go from here?
For me, I would love to see Perez gear up and make a final run at a world title. My only stipulation to success, is that he does it at his proper weight. Perez is a 135 pound lightweight, period, fighting at any other weight is a disadvantage. He will beat the Holguin’s and Calzada’s of the world on experience and skill set despite the size disadvantage. When he steps up to the elite level, he’s simply too undersized.
Perez may have a lightweight frame, but he carries in his chest a heavyweight heart, the true heart of a champion. Time to take that heavyweight heart to lightweight and make some noise.
