WBA United States heavyweight champion Mike Perez took some time out to talk with us before his huge fight this weekend against Carlos Takam. He let’s us in on a bit of his game plan heading into this fight and some of his future plans.
BSO: When do you think you’ll challenge for another title? Is there any rush?
Mike: Hopefully soon, hopefully sometime this year I fight for a world title.
BSO: Is there anything new you have worked on for your upcoming fight vs Takam?
Mike: No, not really. We have everything so we just had to refresh everything from the last fight.
BSO: It’s been 3 fights since your last knockout; will you go into this fight looking for the KO?
Mike: I think it’s just something that happens. If you go into the fight looking for the knockout it won’t happen. To me if it happens, it happens.
BSO: Are there any other boxers that you watch and study to improve your skills?
Mike: I don’t watch too many other boxers. I like to watch Mayweather, Pacquiao, Rigondeaux, Gamboa, Golovkin. Those fighters are fun to watch.
BSO: Do you feel pressure to be the “next great heavyweight?”
Mike: No… No I don’t. I just go out there and do what I do.
BSO: Now that you’ve are becoming a bigger name in boxing would you consider having fight solely in one arena or city? Madison Square Garden seemed to have a lot of Latino fans and they really supported you during that fight.
Mike: I’m a fighter. I’ll fight on top of the roof of a house if I have to. This is what I know; I just fight wherever they want. Madison Square Garden was a special match and I’d like to someday fight there again.
BSO: Miguel Cotto vs Sergio Martinez is a huge fight this summer, would you be open to fighting on the undercard of a fight like that or do you like headlining the fights?
Mike: I’d definitely fight. It’s my job to get this biggest fight, any undercard or main event. It’s my promoters job to get me the best fight possible, so I’ll fight wherever.
Mike will be defending his WBA title against Carlos Takam this Saturday, January 18th, on HBO beginning at 10:15 EST/PST.