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Add FightsATW on GoogleWhat is at stake for Jonathan “La Bomba” González vs Abraham Pérez? The bout takes place on Sunday at the GLC at 20 Monroe in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The main event will see a veteran flyweight titleholder, Gonzalez (albeit WBA interim), facing untested Perez in a compelling lower-weight title bout that could steal the show this weekend.
Here are the things to watch for on Sunday night, live on DAZN.
One Adage Will Be True
‘You are only as good as your last fight,’ and ‘flyweights get old faster,’ are two adages I have heard my whole life.
Gonzalez (29-4-1, 14 KOs) has never looked better than when he won a unanimous decision over Yankiel Rivera. Gonzalez is also 35. He currently holds the interim WBA flyweight title, while the outright title is held by Ricardo Sandoval. Gonzalez held the WBO junior flyweight title until 2024, so he is now (sort of) a two-division beltholder, though he wants to win the full-fledged title to make it official.
Most fighters at his age in this division are typically on the decline. Despite a recent loss to WBO flyweight beltholder Anthony Olascuaga, Gonzalez turned back the clock earlier this year. So, will Gonzalez, who recently signed with Salita Promotions, keep his momentum going and piggyback on his great win over an unbeaten up-and-comer, or will Father Time remain undefeated?
Perez Was A Great Amateur, But An Unknown Pro
In the 2020 Olympic Trials, Perez dominated. Hailing from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Perez went undefeated in that amateur tournament, defeating 2024 U.S. Olympian Roscoe Hill and, at one point, Matchroom Boxing signee Anthony Herrera.
He fought internationally in 2020 before turning pro in October 2021. The most impressive wins of his young career came against Fernando Diaz, a tough gatekeeper who lost to Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Filipino puncher Esneth Domingo, whom he defeated via unanimous decision in April.
At 14-0 (7 KOs), Perez is a puncher on paper, but his style is often that of a fencer. This is a big step up for Perez, as he will go from facing gatekeepers to one of the best in the division. His ace in the hole is youth. He is 27, eight years younger than Gonzalez. Sometimes that matters in fights like this.
Based on The Eye Test, What Can We Expect?
Gonzalez is coming off a massive win and has signed with Salita Promotions. Perez is a well-accomplished amateur but has never fought at this level as a pro. You have to favor the interim beltholder Gonzalez, with a slight concern about age, as a 35-year-old tends to be a death blow at the lower weights.
What Do The Odds Say?
According to BetUS, Gonzalez is a slight favorite (-164), with Perez a live dog (+134) in most betting markets, reflecting skepticism about whether Gonzalez can put together two great performances at flyweight in his mid-30s.
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