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Abraham Perez vs. Yankiel Rivera
Final Press Conference
Quotes
WBA Interim Flyweight World Champion Abraham Perez and
Puerto Rican challenger Yankiel Rivera sounded off at
Thursday’s final press conference for Perez’s homecoming
title defense this Saturday live exclusively on DAZN at 8
p.m. ET/6 p.m. MT from Albuquerque's Kiva Auditorium.
Perez will make the first defense of his title just two
years after a near-fatal drowning incident left him in a
coma and facing the grim diagnosis that he may never walk
again. Now the undefeated Perez (15-0, 7 KOs) returns
against Rivera (8-1-1, 4 KOs) in another DAZN headlining
bout with the hopes of following in the footsteps of New
Mexico legends Johnny Tapia and Danny Romero, fellow lower
weight class champions who established Albuquerque as a
homebase for major events.
In the co-main event, undefeated light heavyweight contender
Atif Oberlton will face hard-hitting Deontay Wilder
stablemate Deon Nicholson (23-1, 19 KOs) in a 10-round
175-pound matchup. In featured bouts, Brooklyn’s undefeated
heavyweight contender “Pryce is Right” Taylor (13-0, 8 KOs)
will face former Ukrainian Olympian Tsotne Rogava (13-1, 8
KOs) in a 10-round matchup, while unbeaten rising
heavyweight Sardius Simmons (10-0, 6 KOs) will face Cesar
Navarro (15-4, 13 KOs) in the eight-round DAZN opener.
Preliminary fights will stream live on Wynn Records Network
beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. MT.
In the Wynn main event, the Philippines’ only current world
champion Pedro “The General” Taduran (20-4-1, 14 KOs) will
defend his IBF Mini Flyweight World Championship against
undefeated mandatory challenger Brandon Moreno (16-0, 5
KOs),
In other fights on Wynn Records Network, undefeated super
middleweight prospect Da’Velle Smith (15-0, 9 KOs) will face
Tariq Green (8-4-2, 4 KOs) in an eight-round bout. In an
Albuquerque grudge match, Josh Torres (31-7-2, 17 KOs) will
rematch with Jose Luis Sanches (14-7-2, 4 KOs) in a 10-round
welterweight bout.
In a special attraction on Wynn Records Network, one of
Canada’s most decorated amateur prospects Parminder Pannu
will make his professional debut just two weeks after
winning the Gold Medal at the 2026 Pan American Games
against Peter Balderas (2-3, 2 KOs) in a four-round super
middleweight bout. In the opener, undefeated super flyweight
Jose Nieves (13-0, 10 KOs) will make his promotional debut
against Bryan Santiago (2-8-1) in a six-round super
flyweight matchup.
Here’s what the participants had to say on Thursday:
DAZN MAIN CARD
ABRAHAM PEREZ:
“Here we are, y’all. First, I want to thank God for giving
me another day to be here. It’s because of Him that I’ve
been able to keep going and reach this moment.
“I want to thank my father, who’s been my coach since I was
four years old. We’ve been through a lot together, and we’ve
beaten the odds. To the people who said I would never get
back in the ring: Here I am.
“To everyone who prayed for me and believed in me, thank
you. Those prayers and that support helped get me here.
Having the opportunity to fight at home in front of these
people makes this moment even more meaningful.”
On Yankiel Rivera:
“I’m glad he made it here safely. I’m glad he showed up. All
I can tell him now is to rest up, because Saturday night we
have business to handle.”
On fighting at home:
“It was a good experience going to Detroit for my last
fight, traveling and handling everything that comes with
fighting on the road. But being able to prepare here at home
and have that support around me feels even better.
“Now I get to bring that energy into the ring in front of my
hometown. It’s going to be fireworks. I see it going all 12
rounds, and I’m prepared for every one of them.”
YANKIEL RIVERA:
“This is a talented, stacked card, and I’m happy and
grateful to be part of it. I’m coming in at 100 percent, in
top shape and ready for the opportunity in front of me.
“I know we’re in his hometown. I know the crowd will be
behind him. That doesn’t change what I came here to do.
We’re taking that belt back home to Puerto Rico.”
On his last performance and why previous results don’t
determine this fight:
“In my last fight, I was asleep, and that was my mistake. I
have to take responsibility for that. But that fight doesn’t
decide what happens between me and Perez.
“What he brings and how he shows up will determine how I
respond Saturday night. I’m prepared for this fight, and I
see it ending with me taking the belt home to Puerto Rico.
This is my opportunity to redeem myself in the division and
in the sport, and I’m coming to take it.”
ATIF OBERLTON:
“Young Handsome Lord Pretty Calvo. I’m the future, and
Saturday night is another opportunity to show that. We’re
going to do what we always do. I’m looking forward to a
very, very dominant performance.”
On getting the champions’ attention:
“I have to keep doing what I’ve been doing my whole career.
Keep winning, keep showing what separates me and keep giving
them a reason to pay attention. Saturday night is another
opportunity to do that.”
On Deon Nicholson:
“I’ve fought a lot of guys with a lot of different styles,
and I see things in his game that I’ve dealt with before.
I’m not too worried about what he’s bringing.
“My team has prepared me for this. I know the work we’ve put
in, and I’m confident in my ability to get in there and take
control.”
DEON NICHOLSON:
“Without God, none of this would be possible. I’m grateful
to be here, and I’m looking forward to putting on a dominant
performance Saturday night. We’ve prepared for this
opportunity, and I’m ready to show it.”
On his preparation for Oberlton:
“I’m more than prepared. I’ve been in camp with Wilder, and
I’ve been in situations that push you and make you better. I
don’t see anything he brings that I’m not prepared to deal
with.”
On what will make the difference:
“I have to be the equalizer. Bring my style, bring my
experience and be who I am. I don’t have to become somebody
else to win this fight. I have to go in there and make him
deal with what I bring.”
PRYCE TAYLOR:
“Thanks to Salita for putting me on this card and giving me
another opportunity to show what I can do. It’s going to be
a great show, and I’m coming in confident that it’s going my
way.
“We can talk about it up here, but when the fight comes,
he’ll see what I bring. I’m ready. It’s showtime, baby!”
TSOTNE ROGAVA:
“Thank God, and thank you to my team, my support system and
Salita for this opportunity. We’ve done the work to get
here. I’ll keep it short: See you all Saturday night.”
On Pryce Taylor:
“He’s doing a lot of talking. I don’t need to say much
because Saturday night we’re going to see who’s who. Once
we’re in the ring, everyone will get their answer.
“It’s going to be a surprise for him. Everyone will see.”
SARDIUS SIMMONS:
“Shoutout to Dmitriy and everyone who made it possible for
me to be on this card. I’m excited to get out there, have
some fun and let the work show.
“Shoutout to my brothers in the red corner, Pryce Taylor and
Atif Oberlton. We’re all here to handle business. It’s time
to make it do what it do.”
On pursuing his fourth consecutive knockout:
“I’m going to keep that a surprise. You’re going to have to
tune in or get your tickets to find out. I know what I’m
coming to do, but I’ll let my hands tell that story Saturday
night.”
On Navarro’s experience knocking out heavier opponents:
“Weight doesn’t make a difference to me. I’ve knocked out
guys who weighed more than 290 pounds. He can talk about how
big his opponents were. He still has to get in there with
me.”
CESAR
NAVARRO:
“First, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Without Him, I wouldn’t be here. I have big goals in this
sport, and Saturday night is another step toward becoming a
heavyweight champion.
“I’m proud to represent Mexico, and I want to give people a
reason to believe in what I’m building. Opportunities like
this are where you have to show that you’re ready to move
forward.”
On facing Simmons:
“I’m Mexican. I don’t have fear. My last opponent weighed
290 pounds, so facing someone bigger is nothing new to me. I
know what I’m walking into, and I’m ready for the challenge
Saturday night.”
DMITRIY SALITA — SALITA PROMOTIONS
“We have an incredible night of boxing on November 7. This
event could have happened anywhere in the world, but we
wanted to bring it to Albuquerque. This city has a rich
boxing history, and Abraham Perez has earned the opportunity
to fight at home on a stage like this.
“I’m grateful to co-promote with Legacy Promotions and bring
together a card with meaningful fights from top to bottom.
Tickets have been selling tremendously well, and we
anticipate a sold-out event.
“There will be surprise celebrity guests, Hall of Famers and
an atmosphere that makes a big night of boxing special.
Whether you’re joining us in the building or watching on
DAZN, this is a night you’ll want to be part of.
“We are grateful to be in one of America’s historic boxing
towns, home to greats like Johnny Tapia. It was important
for Legacy Promotions and Salita Promotions to come together
to bring a historic night of boxing to Albuquerque.”
GABRIEL CARLIN — LEGACY PROMOTIONS
“Abraham has gone through all the steps to earn this moment.
We’ve seen the work and the sacrifices it took for him to
get here, so bringing this fight home means a great deal.
“After his last fight, Dmitriy told me in the ring that he
wanted to bring Abraham a homecoming fight, and he followed
through. Now Abraham gets to walk out in front of the people
who have supported him along the way. That’s going to make
Saturday night special for him and for Albuquerque.
“On behalf of Legacy Promotions, I want to thank Salita
Promotions, Wynn Records and the entire staff for making
this possible and bringing an event to Albuquerque on the
biggest stage.
“I want to thank my family, who traveled all the way from
South Texas, and my partner, Aaron Perez, and his wife for
helping make this promotion possible. Thank you to the
media, the commission and my staff for helping bring this to
life.
“We know Abraham is ready. This is going to be an exciting
hometown fight. The fighters are the ones who truly make all
of this possible. November 7 will be a sold-out night.”
WYNN RECORDS NETWORK PRELIMS:
PEDRO TADURAN:
“Thank you to Salita Promotions and Sean Gibbons. I will put
my heart on the line to give the fans a great show.”
On representing the Philippines on the world stage:
“This is the only title I have, and I will do everything I
can to keep it and bring it back home.”
BRANDON MORENO:
On what it will take to become the first world champion in
his family:
“I’m very proud of my brother, who is now my coach. He’s put
everything into helping me bring the belt home to Spain for
my family and my country. Learning from the mistakes he made
will help me become a world champion.”
JOSHUA TORRES
“I want to thank my Lord and Savior, who leads me, guides me
and prepares me for battle. Thank you to Salita Promotions
and Legacy Promotions. It’s great to fight here.
“I first fought with Legacy coming off a loss early in my
career. They bet on me, and not a lot of promoters would do
that, so I’m forever thankful to them.
“My opponent and I are going to put it all on the line and
give the fans a great show. You don’t want to miss this
fight Saturday night!”
On what will make the difference in the rematch:
“The experience. I’ve learned a lot, and I had a great
camp.”
JOSE LUIS SANCHEZ:
“I want to thank Salita Promotions. It feels good to be back
here. This is going to be a great card on Saturday night. If
you can’t make it, be sure to tune in to Wynn Records
Network.”
On what will make the difference in the rematch:
“I have to fight my fight and be who I’ve always been.
Neither one of us is the same fighter we were back then.
“I think this fight has the potential to be Fight of the
Year. A lot of people skip the prelims, but this is a show
you don’t want to miss.”
DAVELLE SMITH:
“I’m the next big thing at 168. They call me the Cadillac
because I’ve been running over everything that comes my way.
I’m proud to be from my beautiful city of Detroit.
“Thank you to SugarHill and my entire training team. I’ve
made the sacrifices, and I know it’s going to be a good
night. I just missed my 10-year anniversary, so I’d like to
dedicate this fight to her.”
PARMINDER PANNU:
“Thank you to Salita Promotions for giving me this
opportunity to turn pro. I’m excited to show you guys what I
can do Saturday night as I transition from my amateur career
to my professional career.”
JOSE NIEVES:
“I want to thank my team, my parents and Salita Promotions
for bringing me here. I feel ready. I’m super blessed, and I
can’t wait to fight here in Albuquerque. I’ll be ready
Saturday night.”
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