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Photo by: Carlos Baeza/Thompson Boxing



Saturday, April 23; Telecast Begins Live on SHOWTIME at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT
From Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, Los Angeles, Calif. SANTA FE SPRINGS,
Calif. (April 11, 2011) - After a spirited 60-minute media workout
Monday at the Activity Center here, former International Boxing
Federation (IBF) bantamweight champion Yonnhy Perez (20-1-1, 14 KOs),
of Santa Fe Springs, proclaimed himself fit and ready for his
important 12-round fight against two-division world champion Vic
Darchinyan (35-3-1, 27 KOs), of Sydney, Australia, in The Bantamweight
Tournament: Winner Takes All on Saturday, April 23 LIVE on SHOWTIME®
(10:30 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from Nokia Theatre L.A.
LIVE in Los Angeles.

In the tournament finals, Joseph King Kong Agbeko (28-2, 22 KOs), of
the Bronx, N.Y. will defend his IBF 118-pound title against undefeated
rising star Abner Mares (21-0-1, 13 KOs), of Hawaiian Gardens, Calif.

Perez will be making his initial start since he suffered the lone loss
of his career on a 12-round decision to Agbeko in a rematch on Dec.
11, 2010. In his first defense of the title he took from Agbeko on
Oct. 31, 2009, Perez boxed a draw with Mares on May 22, 2010. All
three fights were on SHOWTIME.

"I want my title back and the best way to do that is to win my next
fight and then challenge the winner between (Joseph) Agbeko and
(Abner) Mares,'' Perez said. "Both Agbeko and Mares got a shot at my
title and they were great fights. A rematch against either would be
just as exciting as our first fights.

"I'm totally recharged and ready to win by knockout. When I win this
fight, I will be back in the game.''

(on his training camp)

"This training is distinctly different in that I have a lot of
motivation. I was able to train in Colombia (for six weeks beginning
in late February) and that motivated me so much. At first I trained
with my old trainer from my amateur days and then Danny Zamora (his
current trainer) arrived in Colombia to help me finish out the
training there.

"But the most important thing for me was being able to be with my
family during that time. That helped me immensely. My mind is on them
all the time, whether I am with them or not, so being able to be with
them was a major factor. I didn't have to wonder if everything was OK;
I was right there with them. That made me more calm and at ease.

"I am not making excuses but before my last fight, I did my entire
training camp in the U.S. and I felt so unmotivated because my mind
was with my family and there was nothing I could do about it. I was
mentally drained and the proof was in my flat performance against
Agbeko. He fought the perfect fight that night but I wasn't there
mentally. I wish I could erase the past and continue to the future on
a positive note, but I lost. Now, my confidence is back and I am ready
to win again.

"This has been my best training camp and I feel I have never been
better. Motivation is the key with me. I am still hungry and you will
see that when we fight. You'll definitely see an improved performance
from me. I feel really strong. I'll show you everything on April 23.''
(on the brash-talking Darchinyan's vow to win by knockout)

"Vic Darchinyan can make any comment he would like to make. It's a
free country and he has the right. (But) His words don't motivate me.
I get my inspiration and my motivation from my family.

"Darchinyan is a great fighter but he has faded in his last couple of
losses. Abner Mares put him at the door and I am going to put him out.

"The only thing Darchinyan has going for him is his power punch. I am
a natural bantamweight; he is not.''

(his prediction on Agbeko-Mares)

"I have much respect for Abner Mares and Joseph Agbeko because they
are both great fighters. However, Abner Mares is a great friend of
mine and I believe he will win.''
PROMOTER KEN THOMPSON

"Training in Colombia has done wonders for Yonnhy. I've never seen him
more focused. He will show fight fans this on April 23 with an early
KO. You can take that to the bank."

Tickets, priced at $200, $100, $75, $50 and $25, are available online
at Ticketmaster.com, and via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at (800)
745-3000. Tickets are also available at STAPLES Center Box Office.