RODIS: PEREZ EARNED ADMIRATION, RESPECT DESPITE LOSS

Manager Rey “Cacoi” Rodis II (middle) of RED Boxing International flanked by his boxers Recky Dulay (right) and Rey Perez at the Santa Cruz Gym.

Rey Perez (2nd from right) with some Pinoy boxing fans after the fight at the MGM Harbor. (Photo courtesy of RED Boxing International)

FILIPINO boxer Rey “Technician” Perez earned the respect and admiration of boxing fans despite his loss last November 30 at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland in US.
Perez bowed to reigning WBC Youth Silver super featherweight champion Lamont Roach Jr. by a unanimous decision.
All three judges scored identical 99-91.
“Expected na yung matalo tayo pag hindi natin ma knockout ang kalaban. But it was a good fight,” said Perez’ manager Rey “Cacoi” Perez II of RED Boxing International.
It was the first fight in the US under RED Boxing for the 27-year old Perez, who suffered his 9th defeat against 21 wins and six knockouts.
Roach, 22, on the other hand, had remained undefeated with 16 straight wins and six knockouts.
The fight was promoted by Oscar De La Hoya of the Golden Boy Promotions.
After the fight, boxing fans went to Perez for his autograph or have a selfie photo with him.
“Marami pa rin ang lumapit at nagpakuha ng photo sa kanya kahit kumakain pa kami,” said Rodis.
Before Perez, another boxer of RED Boxing International – Recky “Terror” Dulay also previously lost to
Dardan Zenunaj by a 3rd round TKO in their battle for the vacant WBO NABA super featherweight title last Sept. 30 in Boston.
“The losses I had made me think even deeper on how to do this,” said Rodis, a grandson of the late boxing promoter-manager Dr. Antonio Almirante of Cagayan de Oro.
Rodis still wants to bring more Filipino boxers to the US to give them a chance to fight and possibly get a crack for a world title.
“I’m now planning to get my own boxing gym that can accommodate many boxers next year,” said Rodis. (LITO DELOS REYES)