Don’t forget this name: Darley Pérez

boxingJaime Castro-Núñez – This is the kind of articles I write with enthusiasm. And the reason is very simple: here I am introducing to a large, English-speaking audience a complete unknown boxer who I am sure will be on top of the lightweight division in the years to come. We already have excellent papers on Pacquiao, Froch, Haye, Kessler and Mayweather, so I am under the impression that I don’t have much to say about these exciting, world-class fighters. That’s why I spend most of my time with undivulged boxers, those nameless kids coming from Colombia, virtually out of nowhere, who often times upset huge folks such as Amir Khan. Please don’t get me wrong: I enjoy boxing and know who is who. And yes, I like Pacquiao, even though I wanted Cotto to claim the victory.

The unique intention of this paper is to introduce ESB readers an athlete who I believe has the skills, talent, desire and power to become a serious contender in a couple of years, if not this coming 2010. I might be right, I might be wrong. Only time will tell! My purpose here is to get you acquainted with 2008 Olympian Darley Pérez of San Pedro de Urabá, Colombia, who defeated Argentinean Patricio Pedrero to win the vacant WBA Fedelatín lightweight title on November 19th in a bout that took place in Medellín, Colombia, during the 88th WBA annual convention..

After a successful amateur boxing career that ended with his participation at the Olympics held in Beijing, Darley Pérez was inked by promoter Billy Chams of Cuadrilátero and under the umbrella of trainer Orlando Pineda, turned pro last February 14th with a second-round knockout victory over Edwin Ortiz. Since then, Pérez has fought every month, mostly in Barranquilla, knocking out ten of his eleven opponents. Sure not the most skilled on earth, but they have served the purpose of keeping active the 26-year-old boxer. His last victory over Patricio Pedrero, then 20-1-1, showed Darley Pérez is certainly not a joke.

Having half as many fights, Pérez was instructed by cornerman Orlando Pineda not to fear Pedrero, but to fight according to the plan, which was quite simple: to put constant pressure and not letting the Argentinean think. Only five seconds into the first stanza and Pérez released a right hand that dropped Pedrero, who managed to stand up. Sensing the opponent was hurt, the Colombian resumed the attack and floored Pedrero again. Pedrero beat the count and when referee Ramón Peña gave the order to box, Darley finalized his performance by sending Pedrero to the ropes. Covering his face and not landing a single punch, it was clear that the fight was over. Then Peña jumped and halted the contest.

Patricio Pedrero, certainly not a taxi driver from Buenos Aires, is up to date the best opponent Darley Pérez has faced. Even though he is the new WBA Fedelatín lightweight champion, the boulevard to glory is not around the corner. So far Darley Pérez is only a regional champ, a nice accomplishment by itself, but the day he lands on American/Canadian/Mexican/European soil I want you readers not to evaluate him based exclusively on BoxRec. Many made that mistake when Frank Warren announced that British idol Amir Khan was about to face Breidis Prescott, back-then an obscure boxer with a “somewhat inflated record”. You probably won’t hear again about Darley Pérez, unless he comes to the US for the championship match. And when that happens, I want you to remember him. He might win, he might lose, I don’t know. Just don’t forget the name. In the meantime, I encourage you to watch his fight against Pedrero on youtube.
Enjoy…

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Agree? Disagree? Throw me either flowers o tomatoes to jacastron@hotmail.com