On September 13, Danny Perez, a tough-slugging Mexican-American from San Diego, won a unanimous decision over Julio Cesar Garcia on the Casamayor vs. Marquez pay-per-view telecast from Las Vegas.

In what was surely expected to be a showcase for Garcia, pundits expected Perez to put up a good fight, but did not expect him to win.

With only one fight under his belt since returning from a three year lay off, Perez took the fight on just one week's notice. Scores were 97-93, 99-91, 100-90.

Shortly after upsetting Garcia, Perez was offered $100,000 to face James Kirkland in the co-main event on this Saturday’s HBO/Golden Boy card featuring Ricky Hatton vs. Paul Maglinaggi in the main event.

“We turned down the money with Kirkland because we believe winning the NABO and USBA titles is more beneficial in the long run,” said Danny’s manager Mark Diaz. “Winning these titles catapults Danny into the top 10 and puts us in a much better position to fight for a world championship.”

This Friday, Perez, 33-5 (17), faces Eric Mitchell, 22-4-1 (11), for both junior middleweight titles at Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, located just 20 minutes from Chicago.

“I’m always in shape, but I wasn’t in fighting shape for Garcia because of the short notice,” Perez said. “This time, I’ve had a full training camp and I’m fully prepared for Mitchell. Camp went perfectly. I had great sparring. I’m already at weight and looking very sharp.”

“Mitchell is from Philly, so I know he’ll come out strong,” Perez continued. “My plan is to take him into the late rounds and see what he has left. Plus, I know there’s a tremendous number of Mexicans in Chicago and Hammond, so I hope to have the crowd on my side.”

In June of 1999, Perez dropped Antonio Margarito in round one of an eight round bout, but lost a split decision by scores of 76-75, 74-77, 75-76. Three years later, Perez came up short in the rematch, losing a unanimous decision to Margarito for the WBO welterweight championship. Perez holds wins over Marcos Primera and Jose Luis Zertuche.

In the evening’s co-main event, Eric Mitchell’s identical twin brother, Aaron, 26-1-1 (21), faces Delray Raines, 14-4 (9), for the NABO middleweight title.

Other featured fighters include Don King promoted heavyweight prospect Carl Davis (12-2, 9 KOs) of Chicago; former Junior Olympic World Champion and undefeated light heavyweight prospect Cedric Agnew (9-0, 4 KOs) of Chicago Heights; Joey “Twinkle Fingers” Hernandez (13-0, 6 KOs) from Miami; Don King promoted lightweight Ivan Fiorletta (22-4-2, 7) and featherweight Gianapiero Contestable (11-0, 6), both from Italy and middleweight Elie Augustam (1-0,1), a 2008 Olympian from Haiti who most recently served as a sparring partner for living legend Bernard Hopkins.

Rounding out the card, welterweight Chris Rudd (5-0, 3 KOs) lightweight Ira Terry (20-1, 11 KOs), and junior middleweight Johnny Suarez (2-1-2, 1 KO).

The official weigh ins will be held at Horseshoe Casino, just outside of the entrance to The Venue, beginning at 3 pm. Horseshoe Casino Hammond is conveniently located just 20 minutes from Chicago. From the Skyway, simply exit at Indianapolis Blvd.

Tickets are available for $200 VIP Ringside, $150 Ringside, $80 Main Floor and $40 Mezzanine from any Ticket Master location or from The Venue’s box office (219/473-6060).

For more information, www.HorseshoeHammond.com

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