IBF Bantamweight Champ Yonnhy Perez Signs With Frank Espinoza

IBF bantamweight world titleholder Yonnhy Perez of Colombia signed a managerial contract with Southern California?s Frank Espinoza today.

What?s significant about Perez?s signing is that Espinoza also manages number one ranked bantamweight Abner Mares who fought Perez just recently to a draw at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

?It?s a great signing,? said Espinoza who also has several other contenders including Israel Vazquez and Martin Castillo. ?He?s a great fighter and he?s in a great weight division.?

Perez (20-0-1, 14 KOs) wrested the world title from Ghana?s Joseph ?King Kong? Agbeko in one of the top fights of the year in October 2009. Before that he came-from-behind to knock out South Africa?s Silence Mabuza in the last round in another clash that many did not expect.

The Colombian boxer fights for Thompson Boxing Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions. Many Southern California boxing fans are familiar with his aggressive boxing style and non-stop punching. Perez is never in a boring fight.

Now, most experts and boxing fans realize Perez is a very legitimate world champion and not simply a paper tiger.

Several months ago Perez, 31, met Mares (20-0-1, 13 KOs) in a truly fan friendly battle between two fighters that truly are friends. The back and forth war ended in a majority draw and both boxers remain undefeated.

Mares signed with Espinoza earlier this year and trains in Indio, California under the guidance of trainer Joel Diaz.

Perez works out of Santa Fe Springs and is trained by Danny Zamora. A rematch with Agbeko is being discussed.

?I?m really happy about this signing,? said Espinoza.

Castillo vs. Jorge ?El Travieso? Arce

Speaking of Martin ?El Gallo? Castillo, the Mexico City prizefighter finally, finally meets Arce in a bantamweight fight that could lead to a world title fight.

Castillo, a former junior bantamweight world champion, was poised to fight the popular Los Mochis prizefighter back in 2007. But it wasn?t meant to be as he was tripped up by Fernando Montiel in 2008. At the time the junior bantamweights were ripe with talent including Cristian Mijares, Arce, Castillo and Montiel. Plus Vic Darchinyan was another added element.

Arce has been popular ever since appearing on a Mexican reality TV show. His ability to stand and trade with any fighter has made him even more popular. A match against Castillo was always seen as a perfect clash between boxer and puncher.

The fight between Castillo (35-3, 18 KOs) and Arce (54-6-1, 41 KOs) takes place Saturday in Tepic, Nayarit Mexico and is scheduled for 10 rounds.