Perez readies for next bout with Abdusalamov tragedy on his mind

"All the people around the world who think they know everything about boxing, boxing is a very serious sport," Perez said. "People can see what happened to
Perez readies for next bout with Abdusalamov tragedy on his mind
Perez readies for next bout with Abdusalamov tragedy on his mind /

Mike Perez will take a heavy heart into his Jan. 18 bout against Carlos Takam in Montreal.
Mike Perez will take a heavy heart into his Jan. 18 bout against Carlos Takam in Montreal :: Rich Graessle/Icon SMI

"All the people around the world who think they know everything about boxing, boxing is a very serious sport," Perez said. "People can see what happened to [Magomed], it could happen to anyone. It could happen to me. This sport is not a joke."


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Chris Mannix
CHRIS MANNIX

Chris Mannix is a senior writer at Sports Illustrated covering the NBA and boxing beats. He joined the SI staff in 2003 following his graduation from Boston College. Mannix is the host of SI's "Open Floor" podcast and serves as a ringside analyst and reporter for DAZN Boxing. He is also a frequent contributor to NBC Sports Boston as an NBA analyst. A nominee for National Sportswriter of the Year in 2022, Mannix has won writing awards from the Boxing Writers Association of America and the Pro Basketball Writers Association, and is a longtime member of both organizations.