SAN FRANCISCO — The scrappy kid who started his boxing career in Rochester continues on his way to the big time.
Eloy “Prince” Perez, who got his professional chops at the Lucky Eagle Casino, snatched his 21st win in the Longshoremen’s Hall at Fisherman’s Wharf here on Friday night.
He remains the undefeated champion (21-0, 5 KOs) in the North American Boxing Organization’s super lightweight class, having dominated Mexican challenger Alejandro “Soma” Rodriguez.
Rodriguez (12-2, 6 KOs) had won a string of eight bouts before Friday, but a strong first-round body blow from Perez put the lanky fighter in defensive mode for the remaining nine frames. More accustomed to playing the counter-punch role, Perez was forced to go on the attack as Rodriguez reeled.
“I dominated,” Perez told gathered media after the fight. “I did what I had to do.”
Perez won by unanimous decision, winning every round on all cards (100-90). The fight was billed as the main event of the night, which also included 2008 U.S. Olympian Gary Russell Jr., who also won by decision prior to the Perez fight. The event was televised on the Spanish-language network TeleFutura as “Solo Boexo.”
The 24-year-old Perez, known as “The Prince,” has enjoyed success since leaving Washington, and now trains near Salinas, Calif., which has earned him the co-nickname “The Meanest from Salinas.” His parents, along with a large contingent of fans chanting, “Eloy, Eloy ...” were out for Friday night’s fight at the beer-soaked union hall a few blocks away from San Francisco’s prime tourist spots.
“We are proud,” said Perez’s father, Eloy Perez Sr., who lives in Rainier. “He was always a good athlete.”
Holder of the NABO title belt, Perez continues to be part of Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions and now wants to go after the World Boxing Organization championship, currently held by Ricky Burns of Scotland. WBO rankings this week have Perez listed at the No. 1 prospect in his class.
