A head of his toughest challenge to date Eloy “The Prince” Perez took time out to speak to 15rounds.com about his fight with Dominic Salcido which takes place on 15 October live on Telefutura from the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, Ca. Unbeaten in 21 contests with the only blotches 2 draws & a no contest compiling an 18-0-2(5) ledger. He knows that he needs to keep building and add to his 3 wins this year already to improve his rankings. Currently he’s the NABO Super Featherweight champion and only ranked by sister organisation the WBO at number 2. A win over Salcido could see him edge into the other top organisations rankings. Here’s what the pride of Salinas, Ca had to say.
Hello Eloy, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright – You have arguably the biggest fight of your career to date when you fight Dominic Salcido on 15 October. What are your thoughts on that fight? Will it be on TV?
Eloy Perez – Yes it will be on TV on Telefutura, I think Dominic is a slick fighter I’ll be aggressive and hope to implement the style my coach Max Garcia wants me to. If Salcido stays back and tries to counter I’ll freeze him with feints and work, but if he decides to come forward I’ll pick him off with crisp straight punches either way my team has many plans we can adapt.
Anson Wainwright – How tough an opponent to you see Salcido as? He’s known as a skilled boxer who as never lost at 130? He looked pretty good last time out against Guillermo Sanchez what did you think of his performance?
Eloy Perez – I didn’t see his performance against Guillermo but I know he is skilled, he has fast hands but so do I. I don’t think he’s as versatile or as crafty as I am, but he does have good power he’s pretty tough and like I said has fast hands. I’m not so much thinking or worrying about Salcido as I am working on my own game, honing my skills and getting better. I know I’m not going in there taking on chumps or cupcakes these are real fights against skilled guys, going back all the way to Dannie Williams i’ve been in tough. I expect to be in tough October 15 but I also expect to win like 18 times before.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us a little about your training for this fight, how are things going so far? Also where are you training and who are you sparring with?
Eloy Perez – Training is going as planned we settled in Oxnard California, and are sparring with Brandon Rios, Alfonso Blanco, and Aris Ambriz. I’m in great shape sparring 8-10 hard rounds and running my butt off with road work. My team has me ready I’m on weight things couldn’t be better.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team, who is your manager, trainer & promoter?
Eloy Perez – I have the best team on the planet and maybe the universe, my manager is the hardest working woman in boxing Kathy Garcia she’s the heart of our team, she works everyday to make us all comfortable in the right hotel rooms, she plans everything without her my team wouldn’t be here getting the incredible training I’m getting from Max Garcia Kathy’s husband. He keeps me disciplined, he’s a great trainer, conditioning and boxing strategy. His son Sam Garcia is his assistant and helps with all training. Dean Familton helps with strategy he and Max come up with game plans for every fight, his father was originally part of the team (Don Familton,) he was a southern California legend he passed last year, I fight every fight with him in my heart and his name on my trunks. Melissa Garcia, Max and Kathy’s daughter is always supportive she handles most charity events for the Garcia Boxing Organization. The whole Garcia family is just as hungry for a title and to prove themselves as I am we want a world title!
Anson Wainwright – You fought on the high profile Mayweather-Mosley card in May, what was that experience like for you?
Eloy Perez – It’s was great to be on a card like that the buzz the people the electricity in the crowd, it’s something you dream of as a fighter it’s why we fight for moments like that. I hope next time I’ll be the fight that ends the show.
Anson Wainwright – What was your amateur career like? What title did you win? What top fighters did you fight and what was your record?
Eloy Perez – My amateur career seems like ages ago I’m a completely different fighter than I was lol. I fought about 60-70 fights winning all but 6. I fought Victor Ortiz, Shawn Porter Mike Chippers. I won the ringside worlds in 2004. It wasn’t a long amateur career I couldn’t wait to turn pro.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your early years and how you first got in to Boxing?
Eloy Perez – I was a big chubby troublemaking kid so my dad got me in the gym at Jim Dougla’s gym in my hometown of Rochester Washington, the rest is history.
Anson Wainwright – When your not Boxing or training what do you like to do with your time?
Eloy Perez – When I’m not boxing I like going hiking, fishing, hunting, I like the outdoors. I enjoy football, and other sports.
Anson Wainwright – Your currently ranked at number 3 by the WBO and there were a few rumours that you could face Roman Martinez for his title he lost to Ricky Burns a few weeks back, what did you think of that fight? Would you like to fight Burns? or are you looking at the other 3 titles?
Eloy Perez – I think the Burns/Martinez fight was fight of the year so far, both are deserving to be as high as they are. Of coarse I would love to fight Burns for the title it would be a dream come true that’s why I moved to California that’s why I sacrificed all I have for an opportunity to be the best in the world at what I do. With that said I am only thinking about one guy right now that’s Dominic Salcido. I have no other plans other than meeting him in the middle of the ring October 15, at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio California. I let my manager work her magic she knows I’ll take on anyone anywhere.
Anson Wainwright – What do you think you’d be doing if you weren’t a boxer?
Eloy Perez – If I wasn’t boxing I have no idea what I’d be doing this is all I know lol
Anson Wainwright – What are your goals in Boxing?
Eloy Perez – My goals are to become a world champion and fight mega fights that entertain the audience with skill and bravery. We have a new motto we stole from the Stanford University football “we’re here to win with character and cruelty” that pretty much says it all.
Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for the Super Featherweight division?
Eloy Perez – My message to the rest of the division is let’s not be like the other divisions that are deep with talent let’s all fight each other and bring respect back to the Super Featherweight division. If everyone fights each other the top guys against the top guys this can be a fun and exciting division.
Thanks for your time Eloy, good luck with your upcoming fight.
Thanks 15rounds and Anson Wainwright keep up the good work boxing is the best sport in the world let’s not forget that.
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
