His name alone provides Michael Angelo Perez the perfect segue to each time he enters the ring. Just as Michelangelo provided every time he engineered another masterpiece, Perez does that with his boxing ability. Armed with an arsenal of the right skills, great work ethic, and the drive to be a champion, this Newark native has grabbed the attention of boxing experts.
Growing up in the streets of Newark isn’t the easiest thing in the world, and as with some of the boxing greats today, Perez had the perfect outlet to keep him away from the evils that surrounded him. “For my 7th birthday, my father took me down to the gym as my gift. That was it; I fell in love with it. It really kept me busy” Perez said. The humble 20 year old knows all about the paths that he could have taken in life, and acknowledges the talent that he has been blessed with, along with no shortage of confidence. “I want to become the pound for pound greatest in the world, unify the titles, and in different weight classes.”
On November 6, he will embark on one of the greatest of achievements so far in his short, yet busy career. Perez will showcase his talents on the same night Zab Judah will match up with Lucas Matthysse at the Prudential Center. The card will showcase Judah continuing his comeback, and Perez starting his own legacy. “I want to perform well out there. It’s a long time coming.” With the recent uprising in events being held in Newark, showcasing current headliners such as Judah and Tomasz Adamek, Perez aims to be right there, in a main event of his own one day.
Perez also has the eye of another former champion, not to face him in the ring, but to be alongside him on his journey to become champion. Signing to Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions is of noticeable merit for any boxer, being put in a stable of current superstars like Shane Mosley and Bernard Hopkins, and future stars such as Victor Ortiz and Amir Khan.
Most of Golden Boy’s clients are seemingly from the west coast, and with the recent signing of Paulie Malignaggi, it seems that De La Hoya and his partners have taken notice in the bevy of talent in the east coast, particularly in the tri-state area, and Perez hopes to be part of that east coast movement. “This is a big opportunity for boxing in the tri-state.” Perez says about the recent up rise in amount of prospects in the area.
Along with the hype and publicity that come along with being signed to the Golden Boy brand, it comes with its opportunities to give back to the community. Just like last week when De La Hoya, Malignaggi, Brooklyn’s Danny Jacobs, and Perez, amongst others, hosted a boxing clinic at the world famous Gleason’s Gym.
“It was a great experience, we taught defense, how to throw combos. It was a pleasure to work with those kids. They look at you like a role model and that is just a great feeling.” Perez noted about the experience.
With less than a month now to go until Perez’ next bout, he still awaits an opponent. So instead of concentrating on a certain style to fight against, Perez’ challenge is improving himself. “I need to stay in the ring, gain more experience. That is how I am going to get better now, testing my skills in the ring against an opponent.”
That may also be Perez’ greatest quality, he boxes to win. If he needs to be technical in a fight, he can do that, if he needs to bare down and get into a brawl, he will do that. That alongside his humbleness may just be what Perez needs to excel at the professional level. November 6th is a night that will be special for Perez and he wants to make it special for the city of Newark. “I just want to make everyone proud, my family and my city. I can’t wait.”
For more New Jersey boxing news, go to gardenstatefightscene.com
