Unbeaten lightweight phenom and Newark’s very own Michael Angelo “The Artist” Perez, 10-0 (5 KO’s), needed just 62 seconds to destroy veteran Hevinson Herrera yesterday evening at the Prudential Center. The 2008 National Golden Gloves champion caught Herrera’s attention with the very first punch he landed and it was all downhill for the experienced Colombian from there. Perez hurt Herrera with a left hook before decking him shortly thereafter with a combination, sending his adoring fans into a frenzy. Herrera made it back to his feet but was in no condition to continue, which forced Referee Randy Neumann to save him from taking further punishment. “Tonight was a blessing,” said Perez, who stopped the same fighter that went the Distance, with former world champion Ricardo Cordoba. “I had all of my fans here supporting me and scored the fastest knockout of my career. I loved fighting at home and hope return here soon.” Details of Perez’ next bout will be announced shortly. Contact: Matt Yanofsky (Team Perez Publicist) 551-206-0578
As in September, I once again ran out of gas in the 10th & 11th championship rounds of October & November with this column, but I recovered to complete them and will unleash a few more flurries to close out the 12th and final round.
In the first week of October, Hassan N’Dam won a UD over Curtis Stevens in an eliminator for the right to challenge Jermaine Taylor who defeated aging Sam Soliman to regain the IBF Middleweight title. How Taylor even earned this title shot is another story altogether, but it is all irrelevant as he is now the champion. However he will not have too much time to savor his victory as he has assault and battery charges pending against him and an upcoming court fight that may turn out to be the toughest fight of his life, just when things started to look up for him in boxing, we wish him luck.
