The homecoming title defense marks another milestone in Perez’s remarkable comeback from a near-fatal drowning incident in 2024 that left him in a coma for eight days and threatened to end his athletic career. After being told he might never walk again, the Albuquerque native returned to boxing in 2025 and captured the interim world title in June with a victory over defending champion Jonathan Gonzalez.

Now 15-0 with seven knockouts, the 27-year-old, Perez will look to defend his championship before his hometown supporters and continue building his legacy alongside New Mexico boxing legends Johnny Tapia and Danny Romero.

“Most athletes dream to be in the current situation I am in — defending a belt in their hometown,” Perez said. “It means a whole lot to not only me, but the local fans who get to see the fight. I did not let what happened to me stop the dream of becoming a world champion. I could've quit boxing or even swimming, but it's the optimism, the fight in me, and the love I have for the sport that kept me going. I will never be Tapia or Romero; I can only aspire to be the best version of myself. So while there is a Tapia, a Romero, there is also a Perez.”

Rivera (8-1-1, 4 KOs), of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, represents a formidable challenge. The 29-year-old was the only Puerto Rican boxer to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games and finished his amateur career with an impressive 133-14 record. Since turning professional in 2022, Rivera has advanced quickly, challenging for an interim flyweight world championship in just his eighth bout, when he fought undefeated Angelino Cordova to a draw.

Rivera subsequently suffered a decision defeat to Gonzalez in his challenge for the WBA Interim Flyweight World Championship but bounced back with a first-round knockout of Francisco Vargas Martinez last Friday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He now sees the Perez matchup as an opportunity to avenge that setback and establish himself among the division’s elite.

“You will see a 100 percent Yankiel Rivera — completely focused, prepared and completely motivated,” Rivera said. “I know some are skeptical after my defeat, but I will show them that a defeat does not define me. With the exception of a very small group, every fighter faces a loss. It is not the loss that defines you, it is what you do afterwards.

“I see this fight as an opportunity to beat the guy who beat me. A victory will vindicate that defeat and will show that I belong in the mix with the elite fighters in the 112-pound division. My name has to be on that list. I’m ready to fight and defeat the best of the division.”

The DAZN broadcast will open with two heavyweight matchups featuring undefeated American prospects Pryce Taylor and Sardius Simmons, both looking to strengthen their positions in a wide-open division.

Brooklyn’s Taylor (13-0, 8 KOs), known as “The Pryce Is Right,” will face former Ukrainian Olympian Tsotne Rogava (13-1, 8 KOs) in a 10-round contest. Flint, Michigan’s Simmons (10-0, 5 KOs) will meet Phoenix-based Cesar Navarro (15-4, 13 KOs) in an eight-round showdown.

Taylor enters the contest as the only undefeated fighter among the top five American heavyweight rankings. The 6-foot-4 Brooklyn native is coming off a near-shutout 10-round unanimous decision victory over Mexican challenger Issac Muñoz on July 11 in Puerto Rico.

The 29-year-old began his boxing journey through New York City’s renowned Cops & Kids Program and has steadily progressed against increasingly experienced opposition. After reaching a career-high weight in his previous outing, Taylor has revamped his preparation, bringing in a new strength and conditioning team and incorporating calisthenics to improve his endurance without sacrificing speed.

“This is my fourth fight this year, and staying active is important to me,” Taylor said. “If I’m healthy, why sit on the bench? The activity has kept me in conversations with heavyweights who have more experience and hold the titles I want. The confidence has always been there, but it grows with every fight.

“Going 10 rounds was a missing piece for me. That experience gave me even more confidence in what I can do. At 10 rounds, you’re getting in there with the real killers, and I want to be strong every round. I’ve been focused on losing weight, getting stronger, and building my stamina.”

Making his first appearance in Albuquerque, Taylor promises to bring both his personality and his punching power to the ring.

“The fans are going to meet ‘The Pryce Is Right’ — the dance moves, the skills, the whole personality,” he said. “I’m going for the knockout, but if I need to adjust and show my boxing skills, that’s what they’ll see. Knockout or not, I’m coming to win.”

Standing opposite Taylor will be Rogava, who represented Ukraine in the super heavyweight division at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, where he lost a decision to eventual Olympic bronze medalist Frazer Clarke.

Rogava turned professional in 2021 and knocked out his first seven opponents. Promoted by Toro Promotions, he has since faced three consecutive undefeated fighters and is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Mauricio Leon Perez. His only professional defeat was a close majority decision loss to then-undefeated Ahmed Krnjic in Riyadh in 2025.

Before entering Olympic boxing, Rogava established himself as a decorated kickboxer and multiple-time Muay Thai world champion.

“I’m ready to show everybody that I am up for the challenge,” Rogava said. “I’ve been waiting for this opportunity to show the world that I belong among the elite heavyweights in the world. I can’t wait to prove that I’m ready for the big stage.”

Simmons, meanwhile, arrives in Albuquerque as one of the division’s busy young prospects. A two-time National Golden Gloves champion, the 33-year-old southpaw has fought 10 times in 15 months since turning professional and is coming off an emphatic second-round technical knockout of Detrailous Webster on Aug. 29 in Detroit.

His matchup with Navarro represents his toughest professional test to date, with the Phoenix-based Mexican-American bringing an aggressive, come-forward style and a reputation for producing entertaining fights.

“This will be my sixth fight this year. I love fighting, and I’m ready to fight whoever, whenever, wherever,” Simmons said. “I don’t have that fear of getting in the ring. Boxing gives me a chance to do what I love and get paid for it.

“When they approached me about this fight, I didn’t care who the opponent was. I’ve always been told that if he eats, sleeps, and breathes like I do, he can be broken down. He’s human, so he can be beaten.”

Simmons has recorded three consecutive knockout victories and believes his punching power will be a decisive factor against Navarro.

“I’m on a three-fight knockout streak, and I believe my power is my biggest advantage. I trust my coaching team. I’m going to go out there, do what I do, listen to my corner, and get another win,” he said.

Navarro (15-4, 13 KOs), 26, turned professional in 2017 and has developed a reputation for his aggressive approach and classic Mexican-American fighting style. Originally from Sonora, Mexico, and now based in Phoenix, he owns 13 knockouts among his 15 professional victories.

Although coming off a defeat to highly regarded undefeated prospect Gurgen Hovhannisyan, Navarro will be determined to derail Simmons’ unbeaten record and make the most of his opportunity on a major international broadcast.

“I’m coming to make a statement on DAZN,” Navarro said. “I’m putting in the work, and I’m ready to represent Mexico, Phoenix and everyone who’s been in my corner. Let’s go!”

The Nov. 7 event will also feature a 10-round light heavyweight co-main event between undefeated contender Atif Oberlton (17-0, 14 KOs) and once-beaten Deon Nicholson (23-1, 19 KOs).

The matchup pits two powerful 175-pounders against one another in a contest that promises to add further punch to an already compelling card.

Albuquerque has long held a special place in American boxing, producing lower-weight-division standouts such as International Boxing Hall of Famer Johnny Tapia, a three-division world champion, and two-division champion Danny Romero.

With Perez now carrying a world championship into his hometown, promoters hope the Nov. 7 event will help restore Albuquerque’s place as a destination for major championship boxing.

“Albuquerque is one of America’s legendary boxing cities,” said Dmitriy Salita, president of Salita Promotions. “Our goal is to reignite that fire — both locally and nationally. We are proud to feature hometown world champion Abraham Perez, along with talented fighters from Albuquerque’s great local gyms. By teaming up with Legacy Boxing Promotions, we hope to build a lasting partnership and bring championship boxing back to this historic fight town.”

Aaron Perez and Gabriel Carlin of Legacy Promotions echoed that ambition, emphasizing the importance of bringing another world championship event to New Mexico.

“From day one, Legacy Promotions’ goal has been to put New Mexico back on the map as a destination for championship boxing,” they said. “In 2024, we were proud to bring a world championship fight to Albuquerque. Now, we're honored to bring another world championship fight home — this time in partnership with Salita Promotions and DAZN, the premier boxing network in the world — with our own champion, Abraham Perez.

“After his latest victory, we asked Abraham what he wanted next. He said he wanted a big fight in Albuquerque, for a city that has been through a lot since the pandemic. We're excited to make that happen and give our city a night to remember.”

The Big Time Boxing event is promoted by Salita Promotions and Legacy Boxing Promotions in association with Wynn Records. Tickets for the Nov. 7 card are available through Ticketmaster, with the entire broadcast airing live exclusively on DAZN beginning at 8 p.m. ET/6 p.m. MT.

ABOUT SALITA PROMOTIONS: Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing's best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including SHOWTIME, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

ABOUT WYNN RECORDS: Wynn Records is a full-service talent and music agency specializing in artist development, management, brand partnerships, distribution, marketing, and touring. With strong expertise in music administration, digital strategy, licensing, and industry trends, Wynn provides tailored career guidance to help clients grow and succeed. Rooted in innovation and long-term vision, the company empowers artists, creatives, and athletes to maximize their visibility, revenue, and impact.