Mikhaylenko Continues Rise in Stopping Johan Perez
By Francisco Salazar - INDIO, Calif. - Welterweight Dmitry Mikhaylenko is as awkward a fighter as they come. He used that to his advantage in scoring the best win of his career. Mikhaylenko stopped Johan Perez in the eighth round before an near-capacity crowd at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. It was a close bout early on as Perez was able to connect early on. By the third round, Mikhaylenko, who has modest wins over Sechew Powell and Ronald Cruz, was able to use his awkward style to land lead and counter right hands to the head of Perez. There were some very good exchanges between the two fighters, but Mikhaylenko seemed to have more snap on his punches, at times snapping Perez's head back. Perez switched to a southpaw stance, which helped him land more efficiently. But Mikhaylenko continued to get on the inside of Perez's reach, landing repeatedly to the head and body. Perez looked tired in round seven. He looked more spent in the following round, which prompted Mikhayleno to press the fight. He was rewarded as his punches seems to hurt Perez, backing him up in a corner. Mikhaylenko landed another exchange, prompting referee Ray Corona to step in and stop the bout at 1:21.