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Darleys Perez to face Jonathan Maicelo on Jan. 9

Fighters Network
01
Dec

Darley Perez

 

Lightweight contenders Darleys Perez and Jonathan Maicelo will meet on Jan. 9 at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif., promoter Gary Shaw has announced.

“When I made this bout, I knew it was going to be a crowd-pleasing fight because both fighters are putting everything on the line,” said Shaw in a release. “Both Perez and Maicelo are great men and I know they will bring their very best on January 9. The fans are in for a great night of boxing.”



Perez, of Columbia, is 31-1 with 20 knockouts and Maicelo, of Peru, is 21-1, 12 stoppage victories.

“This is a fantastic fight for the fans,” said Alex Camponovo of Thompson Boxing Promotions, who co-promotes Perez with Shaw.

“Darleys Perez is very hungry to show the world he’s one of the top fighters in the lightweight division. I expect a great show as I know both fighters are coming with their ‘A’ game.”

Maicelo, 31, is 4-1 with two knockouts since August 2012, when he made his debut under Shaw with a unanimous decision over Wilfredo Acuna on the undercard of Perez’s split decision victory over Bahodir Mamadjonov, whom Perez floored in the eighth round.

Maicelo’s sole loss was against Rustam Nugaev, who knocked him out in the eighth round in April 2013. Maicelo was last in the ring for a split decision over Art Hovhannisyan in July.

“I’m taking this fight very serious. My trainer and I are working extremely smart to make sure I’m in the best shape of my life,” said Maicelo.

“I know with a win, I can become a world champion. I’m bringing everything I got come fight night and I anticipate myself being the victor.”

Perez, himself, is 6-1 with one stoppage win since then, his only loss being by unanimous decision to Yuriorkis Gamboa in June 2013. Perez, 31, is coming off last month’s sixth-round stoppage victory over Jaider Parra, ending Parra’s three-fight winning streak that had included two knockouts.

“Maicelo is a very difficult opponent and I will have to use all my skills to come out victorious. Knowing I’ve been here before, I feel I have the advantage going into this bout,” said Perez.

“A win will advance my career to the next level and I know what I have to do to be victorious. It’s going to be an exciting fight because we both have a lot to lose. I need to come out on top and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

Perez-Maicelo will be televised on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” starting at 9:00 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

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