Michael Pérez returns to super lightweight title picture

WITH SPLIT DECISION VICTORY OVER MARCELINO LOPEZ IN MAIN EVENT OF GOLDEN BOY BOXING ON ESPN

RASHIDI ELLIS HOLDS ONTO IBF NORTH AMERICAN WELTERWEIGHT TITLE AND UNDEFEATED RECORD WITH HARD-FOUGHT MAJORITY DECISION OVER JOHN KARL SOSA

(Left): Super lightweight contender Michael “The Artist” Perez poses after his split decision victory over Marcelino “Nino” Lopez on April 20, 2017 from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.

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Photo Credit: Emily Harney/Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions Photos

LOS ANGELES – Battling to stay in the super lightweight championship hunt, Michael “The Artist” Perez (25-2-2, 11 KOs) of Newark, NJ defeated tough Argentine Marcelino “Nino” Lopez (32-2-1, 17 KOs) by controversial split decisionThursday night in the main event of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN from Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. Despite Lopez knocking Perez down in the 8th, the judges awarded Perez the victory in the 10-round fight with scores of 96-93, 97-92, 93-96.

“I won the fight for sure,” said Perez. “My plan was to go in and box him, and work him with my jab. I knew I won, but know I could’ve been better if I had more rest before. Next time I fight, I’m going to the best I can be.”

In the evenly matched 10-round co-main event Rashidi “Speedy” Ellis (18-0, 12 KOs) of Boston, MA kept his undefeated record intact and returned home with his IBF North American Welterweight championship defeating Caguas, Puerto Rico’s John Karl Sosa (13-3, 6 KOs) by majority decision. The judges awarded Ellis the victory with scores of 95-95, 97-93, 97-93.

“In the fight, I worked on my jabs and punches the most,” said Ellis. “I’m happy with the decision, but I know my opponent got to me in a lot of the rounds. In the end, I gave it my all.”

“I was planning on going in to defeat him,” said Sosa. “My corner kept telling me to move, and I listened. I felt the fight was much closer than the judges scored it.”

Austin, Texas’ Travell “Black Magic” Mazion (11-0, 11 KOs) proudly — and quickly — announced his return to boxing after a lengthy hiatus, landing a devastating left hook body shot that knocked out opponent Juan “Burbuja” Jesus Rivera (28-18, 18 KOs) at 2:36 of the first round of a super welterweight contest that was scheduled for four to six rounds.

“I wasn’t going in for the knockout, I just wanted to get back in the ring and box him,” said Mazion. “I’m happy the knockout came, and I’m excited to be back.”

Returning to the fight game after a first-round loss last December, Eddie “E-boy” Gomez(20-2, 11 KOs) of The Bronx, New York earned a unanimous decision victory over Dennis “The Menace” Dauti (14-2, 7 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight fight. The judges awarded Gomez the victory with scores of 77-75, 77-75 and 79-73.

“I love fighting on the East Coast in front of all my family, friends and fans,” said Gomez. “In boxing, there are always ups and downs, but I’m just glad to be back and have the victorytonight.”

In his much anticipated return bout from his first defeat, Vyacheslav “Lionheart-Chingonskyy” Shabranskyy (18-1, 15 KOs) of Los Angeles scored knockdowns in each of the first two rounds against Larry “Hitman” Pryor (10-15, 5 KOs), with the latter ending the fight at :54 seconds of the second round.

“Tonight, I was really excited to get in and fight,” said Shabranskyy. “I went in to win and to show everyone Chingonskyy is back and better than ever.”

Kicking off fight night, local Syracuse, New York fighter Jimmy Garcia (5-0, 3 KOs) retained his undefeated record, knocking out fellow light heavyweight Albert Tulley (0-1) of Governor, New York with a punishing body shot at the 1:46 mark of the first round.

“My plan was to go in there to box and win,” said Garica. “I did just that by outboxing him whenever he went at me. Every time I hit him, I hit back and it worked.”

Videos and images are available for download by clicking here or copying and pasting the link: http://bit.ly/PerezVsLopez. Credit must be given to Golden Boy Promotions for any photos/video of Michael Perez or Marcelino Lopez.

Perez vs. Lopez was a 10-round super lightweight battle set for April 20 presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The event was sponsored by Tecate “Born BOLD.” ESPN Deportes and ESPN2 transmitted the fights live from Turning Stone Resort Casino.