While he isn’t facing the opponent he hoped for, Michel “La Zarza Ali” Rivera (23-0) is excited to be returning to action. Standing across the ring from him will be California native Jerry Perez (14-1). The fight will air live on FS1 and FOX Deportes prior to the Deontay Wilder-Robert Helenius pay-per-view event that will be distributed by FOX.
The 24-year-old has openly campaigned for a showdown against three-division champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis for his secondary WBA lightweight title.
This fight isn’t close to the same magnitude as a Davis pay-per-view showdown but Rivera knows that if he keeps winning, he will put himself in position to land the big fight that he craves. For that reason, he refuses to look past Perez, who isn’t very known among boxing fans.
“Perez is a very good boxer with a good record. He has nice skills but I am ready for anything that he tries to do in the ring. I’ve trained hard and will put on a great performance,” said Rivera.
If everything goes as planned, Rivera would like to return to the ring in early 2023. If Davis won’t fight him, he would also be interested in facing undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney who is also in action on Saturday in a rematch against George Kambosos.
“I want to fight Tank next. You know I have been asking for this fight for a long time now. I want to fight the best in the division. After this (fight) give me Tank or Devin Haney. I am better than both of them and it will be proven when we fight,” Rivera told BoxingScene.com.
Rivera was last in action in March when he defeated the previously unbeaten Joseph Adorno by unanimous decision. He won 97-93 on all three judge’s scorecards.
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