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Photo by: Associated Press

In an action packed fight from the opening bell, Yonnhy Perez (20-0, 14 KOs) won a twelve round unanimous decision over IBF bantamweight Joseph Agbeko (27-2, 22 KOs) to claim the 118lb world title on Saturday night at the Treasure Island Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas. Both fighters traded punches throughout. Perez was credited with a knockdown in round eleven when Agbeko turned his back after a clash of heads. During that time, Perez also hit with a left hook to the body, while Agbeko's remained unprotected, which dropped him to the ground. Scores were 116-111, 117-110, 117-110.

In a clash for the WBC interim lightweight belt, #1 rated Antonio DeMarco (23-1-1, 17 KOs) scored a ten round beatdown of #2 Jose Alfaro (23-5, 20 KOs). DeMarco was in command all the way, flooring Alfaro three times in round ten before referee Joe Cortez stopped the fight. Time was 2:07. DeMarco is now in line to challenge unbeaten WBC lightweight champion Edwin Valero.


JOSEPH AGBEKO

“He head butted me in round 10. I don’t think that was fair. The reply clearly shows what happened. I was fighting well to that point. I thought I was winning the fight. Perez seemed energized after being awarded the knockdown and I was never the same after his head hit mine. We will never know what would have happened had there not been a head butt.”

YONNHY PEREZ

“I knew I was winning the rounds and I deserved to get the victory. I trained to throw a lot of punches. I know Agbeko likes to throw a lot of punches, so I knew I had to be better conditioned. All the hard work and preparation paid off. This is a dream come true. (On the knockdown) I don’t think he was in good shape. I think he went down to catch his breath. I felt I was more consistent, more active and I pressed the fight throughout.”

DON KING QUOTES

“I never said anything bad about Mike for all these years because I knew we would get back together someday. Reunited, and it feels so good….”

MIKE TYSON QUOTES

“I have gratitude in my life now. I’ve taken a lot in my life and now I need to give back. I never thought I would live to be 43 years old, but now that I have, I have to give.
(more)
2-2-2

(Regarding a ring return) “It is not what I am thinking about. I would need to work really hard and take a lot of vitamins because I’m fat.

(On reuniting with Don King) “All things pass and I just felt it was time to mend fences with Don.”

ANTONIO DEMARCO VS. JOSE ALFARO

ANTONIO DEMARCO

“It’s impossible to describe the feeling I have inside me right now. My lifelong dream was to become the WBC World Champion. This is the second happiest day of my life. Only the birth of my daughter comes first. I was a little surprised the referee let the fight go. At one point he turned around and I knew then it was only a matter of time. For everyone who supported me and helped me when I had nothing, I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”

JOSE ALFARO

“He used his jab and distance better than I did tonight. That was the difference that I could not overcome. I couldn’t land my punches. I wanted to press him with my right hand. I got a couple of them in, but obviously not enough.”

RAY AUSTIN VS. DAVARRYL WILLIAMSON

RAY AUSTIN

(When asked what happened in the first round, Austin said) “DaVarryl was whuppin’ my ass in the first round. I appreciated it. He came to fight with no fear and no giving up. He came at me like a Mac truck. He forced me to tighten up my defense because I couldn’t get caught like that again. He’s no soft puncher. He’s a real heavyweight. When he came at me early, he kept his head high, so it was hard to find him. Later on, he dropped his head coming in to bring some action. That’s when I tagged him with the right upper cut, left hook, with the right hand behind it that ended the fight. I want another shot at a world title. I want Vitali Klitschko.”

DAVARRYL WILLIAMSON

“I absolutely felt that I could keep going and that the referee stopped it a little quick. I need to stay off the canvas. It is hard to plead your case, when you are down. I know I could have gone on.

(When asked if he thought it was over in the first round, after he dropped Austin) “Everybody thought it was over in the first round, including me. I caught him with the right hand. It was a one-two. I thought I was going to throw a few more punches and finish him. When that didn’t come, I went back to my strategy. Then I got caught. I really wish the referee would have let me continue the way he let Ray continue after I dropped him in the first round. I would love to fight him again.”

NELSON LINARES VS. ARCHAK TERMELIKSETIAN

LINARES—“I was thinking I was winning from the first round. I started very slow because I didn’t have much of a chance to warm up. After the second round, I started to get control of the fight and by the third round I was dominating. I knew I had him.”

BERMANE STIVERNE VS. JERRY BUTLER

STIVERNE—“I felt good tonight because I was dedicating my performance to my brother, Emmanuel. I lost him last May. He was just 25. He had just graduated from Graceland University in Iowa. He was a receiver on the football team. He was headed for an NFL tryout, when the driver of his car fell asleep and was involved in an accident, where my brother lost his life. I tried to win every round for my brother and I did. I feel as though I am improving. I look forward to stepping up the competition in the future.”

KING JAMES DE LA ROSA VS.LENIN ARROYO

DE LA ROSA—“I got 10 rounds in. There were some good hard punches. I got some real good work.”