Mairis Briedis will take on Mike Perez in the World Boxing Super Series Cruiserweight tournament on September 30th in Latvia, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.
“I’m greatly honored to begin my World Boxing Super Series journey at the Riga Arena,” Briedis said. “This is my first fight of the tournament, the first defense of my WBC world cruiserweight title, and I’m really happy that I will be able to do it in front of my home crowd. There are no easy fights in this tournament.
“Mike Perez has already made his name in the heavyweight division and seems to be in the shape of his life coming down to cruiserweight. Now it’s about putting the hard work in the gym and getting ready for the Sept. 30 showdown.”
“I’m very excited. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime and I can’t wait,” Perez said. “I have a chance to become world champion in my very first fight in the tournament, so I couldn’t have asked for better. Briedis is a good champion, but I can’t wait to bring the belt home. I’m so lucky to have the opportunity to fight for the Muhammad Ali Trophy [that will go to the tournament winner] and also become the undisputed cruiserweight champion in this tournament, and I have no doubt that I will do just that.
“I have worked so hard for these last couple of years and really dedicated myself to get this chance and nobody is going to take it from me. I have lots of experience as both an amateur and professional, a lot of ability and now at cruiserweight I’m much faster on my feet and can throw faster combinations so I feel like I’m a much better fighter.”
Promoter Kalle Sauerland said he looks at Briedis-Perez as one of the most intriguing bouts of the quarterfinals.
“This tournament is filled with fascinating fights and none more so than this,” Sauerland said. “Mike Perez is making just his second appearance at 200 pounds having moved down from heavyweight, and could well be the dark horse of the division while Mairis Briedis is a proven world-class operator who will be making his first world title defense. This really is an intriguing matchup, and what the World Boxing Super Series is all about.”
