Former interim WBA Light Welterweight World Champion Johan “El Terrible” Perez (20-2-1, 13 KOs) of Caracas, Venezuela and undefeated Russian boxer Dmitry “The Mechanic” Mikhaylenko (19-0, 8 KOs) hosted a Los Angeles press conference yesterday ahead of their NABA Welterweight Title 12-round main event fight set for Saturday, Aug. 8 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.
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They were joined by former world title contender Yoandris “El Nino” Salinas (21-1-2, 14 KOs), undefeated standout Manuel “Tino” Avila (17-0, 7 KOs) of Fairfield, Calif. who will fight as the co-main event for the vacant interim NABF Super Bantamweight Title in a 10-round bout. In addition, non-televised undercard fighters Jason Quigley (7-0, 7 KOs) and undefeated featherweight Joet Gonzalez (11-0, 4 KOs) also participated in the press conference.
Presented by Golden Boy Promotions, the HBO Latino® Boxing live telecast starts at 10:30 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) on Aug. 8, opening with a 10-round lightweight bout between Tevin Farmer (19-4-1, 4 KOs) and Daulis Prescott (30-2, 22 KOs).
Below is what the fighters had to say at yesterday’s press conference:
JOHAN PEREZ, Former Interim WBA Light Welterweight Champion and Current NABA Welterweight Champion:
“Thank you to everyone at Golden Boy Promotions; I’m very happy to be here. I know this wont be an easy fight as Dmitry is an undefeated fighter.
“I’m well prepared for this fight and ready to give it my all, give it my best. I know it’s going to be a spectacular fight. Thanks to everyone, and I hope to see you on Saturday.”
DMITRY MIKHAYLENKO, Undefeated Welterweight Contender:
“We came from Russia to train in California. I had a great camp and I am 100 percent ready for the fight on Saturday against Johan Perez.
“Thank you to Golden Boy Promotions, Main Events and German Titov Promotions and to HBO for giving me this opportunity.
It’s going to be an exciting fight with a lot of punches. Thanks to my opponent Johan Perez and his team for agreeing to take this fight.”
YOANDRIS “El NINO” SALINAS, Former Bantamweight World Title Contender:
“Thanks to everyone who is here today. I want to let you know I am well prepared. I have a tough task, going against an undefeated fighter in Manuel Avila but, I am coming well prepared so I can be victorious on Saturday without any problem.”
MANUEL “TINO” AVILA, Undefeated Bantamweight Prospect:
“Thank you to Golden Boy Promotions for believing in me and working with me. This is a big step in my career and I’m looking forward to giving you guys a good show on Saturday at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.”
JOET GONZALEZ, Undefeated Featherweight Prospect:
“I’m ready for my fight this Saturday. I trained really hard. I want to give you a great fight, and I hope to see you Saturday at Fantasy Springs.”
JASON QUIGLEY, Undefeated Middleweight Prospect:
“I fought on the Herrera-Lundy undercard last month, for those of you that may remember. I’m very appreciative to Golden Boy Promotions for keeping me so busy.
“I moved here from Ireland but this is why I’m here: to be in the ring as much as possible and put on great shows. I smile so much because I get to fight so much.
I’m grateful for the opportunities and looking forward to putting on a great show Saturday at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.”
ERIC GOMEZ, Senior Vice President of Golden Boy Promotions:
“Thank you to HBO Latino and Tony Walker for supporting us on this card. We’ve had a great relationship with Fantasy Springs, thanks to them and everything they do.
They have a beautiful facility, and the Special Events Center is a great place to watch the fights.
“Some of you may not know Dmitry, but all the promoters do. He is willing to fight anybody and this is finally his big opportunity.
Thank you to Main Events and Kathy Duva who made this fight possible. He has a great record but this is a tough fight against a former world champion. This is going to be a tough fight, a great fight, but that’s what the fans want to see.
“Johan Perez came to the U.S. for these kinds of fights. He doesn’t turn down anybody. He is a tough fighter, not an easy opponent to have.
Given the strength and skill of both Johan and Dmitry, Aug. 8 is sure to bring the fireworks to the Coachella Valley.
“We’ve been working with this next kid, Manuel ‘Tino’ Avila, from the beginning, and this will be his toughest challenge to date.
To become a contender and champion fighter, you need to take those tough fights. And this fight against the talented Yoandris Salinas all the way from Cuba will be just that—a test for both of them.
“We are very excited about Joet Gonzalez being on this card. He’s been very impressive in his fights.
Jason Quigley, is another prospect on the undercard for Aug. 8 that is very exciting, don’t get up to get a beer or popcorn when this kid is in the ring. He’s a great puncher and definitely a world champion for the future.”
TONY WALKER, National Director of Pay-Per-View Sales, HBO:
“We are so appreciative of the partnership HBO has with Golden Boy Promotions. They put on great cards. This fight on August 8 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino is a tripleheader.
They are going to put on a great show with for the viewers, and make sure to check it out on HBO Latino.”
(Note: Photo credit – Golden Boy Promotions)
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