Mike Perez will take on Aloys Junior in an intriguing cruiserweight clash on the London O2 undercard of Moses Itauma-Filip Hrgovic on August 29.
The Cuban veteran has long been on a journey to fulfil his undoubted potential but now, aged 40 and 32-3-1 (22 KOs), one wonders how much time the southpaw has left with which to do so.
In Junior – real name Aloys Youmbi – he meets a Londoner who is also on a mission. Still only 23 years old, he seemed on the road to nowhere when he lost his debut in 2021 but he’s won 11 since, nine coming inside schedule. Most recently, the Commonwealth cruiserweight champion went 10 rounds with Ellis Zorro, winning a competitive fight unanimously on the cards.
Perez, meanwhile, has fought at a much higher level. Originally a heavyweight, where he would weigh up to 240lbs, he dropped down to cruiserweight after being stopped in a round by Alexander Povetkin in 2015. Two years later he was outpointed over 12 by Mairis Briedis in a bid for the WBC cruiserweight strap. He’s unbeaten in 11 fights since but the streaking Junior can be viewed as an improvement on his recent opposition.
Other bouts on the Itauma-Hrgovic undercard confirmed by Queensberry include the already reported Sam Noakes-Denys Berinchyk clash at lightweight and a battle for the British and Commonwealth welterweight titles between champion Constantin Ursu and Ben Vaughan.
