As the conclusion of Showtime's four-man bantamweight tournament draws closer, Colombia's Yonnhy Perez may regret that he's not in the finals of the tournament, but he isn't drowning in sorrows.
Perez (20-1-1, 14 KO) faces Vic Darchinyan (35-3-1, 27 KO) in the tournament's consolation fight, but is looking to rematch the winner of the final between Joseph Agbeko and Abner Mares. Perez has faced Agbeko twice, going 1-1, and drew Mares in 2010.
"I want my title back and the best way to do that is to win my next fight and then challenge the winner between Agbeko and 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."
Perez believes that a training camp at home in Colombia will have him sharper than he was last year in his loss to Agbeko. He feels that training in the United States had him a bit off against Agbeko. Training at home has him more motivated and more at ease, he feels.
As for the brash Darchinyan? Perez isn't concerned with what comes out of the Armenian's mouth.
"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."
After the jump: More photos from Perez's media workout.
All photos by Carlos Baeza/Thompson Boxing
