Manuel “Manos” Perez inks contract to fight Ortiz Dec 13
When Manuel Perez won the UBF International Title just two weeks ago in his hometown, he knew the win would bring great opportunities for his career.
Perez put on an impressive and possibly his best performance Nov. 1 in Denver against Cesar Holguin to claim the title. What Perez didn’t expect was that opportunity would come knocking so quickly.
Perez (22-10-1) signed a contract Monday to face Victor Ortiz on Dec. 13 in Las Vegas, as part of the Amir Khan vs. Devon Alexander undercard. While most fight fans were hoping for an Andre Berto rematch, Ortiz (29-5-2) is planning to revive his boxing career by facing “easier” opposition.
Coming off a three fight losing streak, Ortiz possibly bit off more than he could chew with Perez. Perez is no stranger to delivering upsets to his opponents and their promoters.
In 2008, Brandon Rios fought Perez to a draw and at the time was the first blemish on Rios’ record. Two judges scored the bout 95-95, and the third judge had the bout 96-94 Perez. A year later, Rios avenged his draw with a TKO in the seventh round, the only stoppage in his career.
“Rios broke my nose in the second round and although I tried my best to stay in the fight, it was hard with blood flying everywhere”, Perez said.
In February 2012, Perez faced Edgar Santana on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights for the NABA light welterweight title. Perez outboxed and outclassed Santana in front of his hometown crowd in Dover, Delaware. and took a title back to Colorado. The impressive win opened the door to a better opportunities as it led to his beating Jose Miguel Cotto later that year in Mexico. Perez dominated the fight and sent Cotto into retirement.
Perez is known as a road warrior and has seen his fair share of disappointment from bad judging and robberies. But that’s never stopped him from always wanting to fight the best possible opposition.
“At the end of my career I want people to see me for the fighter I am, not for my record,” Perez said. “I’ve gone to a fighter’s backyard and proven a lot of people wrong.”
Perez has shown heart, not just in the ring but where it counts the most. Perez works a full time job, punching the clock Monday through Friday to provide for his family, three boys and his wife of six years.
“Boxing won’t make me rich, but it helps give my family extra to live a good life,” Perez said.
When most fighters argue over their purse and being put on the A side or B side, Perez has been patiently waiting for the right opportunity to enter into the next level.
“The fights have been there, I’ve been called to face some pretty big names, but it was either on a short notice, or for no money at all.”
Perez feels that this fight with Ortiz is the perfect platform to show the world who he is and what he can do. Perez finds himself in the same situation Josesito Lopez was before their 2012 fight in Los Angeles. Lopez upset Ortiz and the win boosted his career.
“I’m excited for this fight,” Perez said. “But while Ortiz is planning his comeback, I’m planning on sending him back out. My career is taking off right now and Ortiz is in the way of my goals and plans.”
Perez is not the only one with a lot to prove, as Ortiz has not won a fight since 2011. He is coming off a 10-month layoff since being knocked out by Luis Collazo, who went on to fight Khan in May. But he has since started training under the watchful eye of Joel Diaz in Indio, Ca.
“I’m only 27 and there is a lot of fight still in me, I will go on and be a champ again,” Ortiz said.
The “Royal Battle” was to be a triple headliner before the withdrawal of the Jermell Charlo vs. Demetrius Andrade match up. This may now create the bump-up in position for Ortiz vs. Perez to see a major TV spot on the Showtime card.
Either way Perez guarantees a war and the rise of one man and the fall of another.
“I don’t think Victor has the heart to go toe to toe with me for ten rounds, but I hope he does,” Perez said. “The better the person in front of me, the better I perform.”