Mike Perez says he would beat Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe on the same night after a 34-second win

boxing Friday 17 January 2025 11:31, UK

Mike Perez says he would beat Richard Riakporhe and Chris Billam-Smith on the same night as the cruiserweight contender continues his comeback after a 34-second win.

Perez announced his return last month with a whirlwind victory over Israel Duffus, who had previously gone the full 10 rounds in a loss to Britain's Cheavon Clarke.

The Ireland-based Cuban has propelled himself up to No 8 in the WBA rankings and is now targeting Riakporhe or Billam-Smith to stake his claim for a world title shot.

"I would love to fight Richard Riakporhe. I would love to fight Chris Billam-Smith. I can fight both of them in the same night," said Perez.

"I have done it not once, I have done it twice. I can fight both of those guys on the same night.

"Then by the end of the year, this guy who everyone is calling a monster, Jai Opetaia. He's the next superstar at cruiserweight? Well, he hasn't gone through me yet. I would love to fight him at the end of the year.

"I'm here to show people, 'Yo, listen. I'm back'."

A former winner of Prizefighter, Perez defeated three opponents on the same night to win the heavyweight tournament and also previously beaten two different opponents at an event in Ireland.

Perez, nicknamed 'The Rebel', has fought regularly in front of his opponents' fans and would be willing to face Riakporhe in London or Billam-Smith in Bournemouth.

"I'm ready to fight them [Riakporhe and Billam-Smith] right now," he said. "My team want that kind of fight by April.

"I can fight any of those guys on the roof of my house. It doesn't matter where I fight them. I just like to fight.

"For now I'm No 8 [in the WBA] and I want to be No 1."

IBF champion Opetaia is recognised as the No 1 cruiserweight in the world, but Perez is not intimidated by the Australian, who has 21 knockouts in 27 fights.

"Daddy is back, bring it on," said Perez. "He's a monster but he hasn't got through me. No one has called me and said, 'Yo, do you want this fight?' I would love to fight him.

"I don't think he has fought anybody like me. I don't think he has been tested yet. They are picking the opponents for him carefully. They want to make a star.

"They were doing that with Cheavon Clarke. He [Clarke] was supposed to be a superstar, but he just lost.

"Actually that would be a fight that I fancy. I believe I can finish him [Clarke] faster than my last fight."

Perez has already competed at elite level, losing a hard-fought points decision to WBC champion Mairis Briedis in Latvia in the World Super Series in 2017.

But he has vowed to succeed at the highest level and bring a belt back to his adopted home of Ireland.

Perez said: "It has always been my dream to fight in Ireland for a world title, even though obviously I'm not Irish. I'm Cuban.

"For 21 years, Ireland is my home. I love the Irish people, I train with an amazing team with Paschal Collins, fighters like Thomas Carty.

"I would love to bring a world title here and show people, I'm not Irish, but I'm an adopted Irishman, and I'm here to give you a world title."