By Ryan Burton

 

BoxingScene.com recently spoke to undefeated super featherweight contender Eloy Perez who gets his first title shot on February 25th when he faces WBO champion Adrien Broner in St. Louis in an HBO televised co-feature fight. Perez has spent the last part of his training camp at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Oxnard, California.

 

Garcia is one of the hottest trainers in the sport.  His stable includes Nonito Donaire, Brandon Rios, Antonio Margarito, Mikey Garcia and recent addition Kelly Pavlik.  Donaire won the WBO super bantamweight title when he defeated Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. on February 4th.  Rios is scheduled to return on April 14th against Yuriorkis Gamboa, who will be making the jump up to lightweight from featherweight, although the fight hasn't been finalized.

 

Perez said that he enjoys being in camp with Rios who gained notoriety as being a practical joker on HBO's 24/7 series. Rios appeared on the series during Margarito's training camps for his fights against Manny Pacquiao and the Miguel Cotto rematch.  Perez revealed to Boxingscene that he will be returning to Oxnard after his fight against Broner to help Rios prepare for Gamboa.

 

"I am definitely going back down to Oxnard. You know (Brandon) Rios is a funny guy. He is great to have a round. I am going to Oxnard.  I am going to help him get ready for Gamboa," said Perez.

 

While Perez doesn't have the power of Gamboa, he has good speed and is a natural super featherweight while Gamboa hasn't fought a meaningful fight above the featherweight limit. 

Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com Follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter and tune in to The Boxing Lab, Boxingscene's official audio on Tuesdays. The show is hosted by Ernie Gabion, Luis Sandoval and Ryan Burton.