Vernon ‘Iceman’ Paris (27-1, 16KOs) after what was a year and a day layoff is looking to stay busy, just fighting Guy Packer (4-38-2, 1KOs) this past March 24th. He will now be headlining the main event of ESPN Friday Night Fights at the Masonic Temple in Detroit, Michigan, Paris’ hometown.
Paris is in a crossroads fight after suffering just one lost at the hands of Zab Judah, who ended young Paris’s undefeated streak. He fought well but was ultimately stopped in the 9th round by the determined Judah. The win led Judah to the showdown with Danny Garcia just two weeks ago.
Now Paris meets Manny ‘Manos’ Perez (19-8-1, 4KOs) a tough (S.O.B.) who can say he drew with Brandon Rios and has shared the ring with some of the names in the sport. The problem is Perez had fought most of these names at 130lb or 135lbs, now he’s moving up to fight at Jr. Welterweight.
Fighting out of Denver, Colorado, Perez, for a up and down fighter enjoyed great success in 2012 as he beat Edgar Santana for the NABA light welterweight title and defended it successfully against Jose Miguel Cotto.
His run culminated with a WBA eliminator bout against Paul McCloskey in Belfast, Ireland. Perez lost a wide margin decision while McCloskey picked up the WBA Inter-Continental light welterweight title.
A crossroads fight because both men have been stagnated by losses in their career, both looking to advance. There can only be one winner but both men vow that they’ve been working on improving their talents.
“I know Paris is very, very tough, and I anticipate a tough fight,” Perez said. “Those are the fights I like. I’ve said it before – you don’t become the best without fighting the best. You have to fight and beat the best. I’m working on my jab a lot now, and just want to show more variety in my shots this fight. I want to show better angles, and a better variety of right hands. I want to apply the right kind of pressure and just break him down. I’m looking forward to putting on a great performance,” said Perez.
“I’ve started working with my new coach, Herman Caicedo, and have been preparing for this fight ever since my last fight,” Paris said. “My new coach is good. He’s teaching me to keep my hands up. The plan – what I’m going to do in the ring – that’s all coming together. I’m feeling real good about it.”
