Brunson-Perez Middleweight Battle Tops Oct. 18 Prelim Card At the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia

DeCarlo Perez - Tyrone Brunson Philadelphia, PA—Hidden beneath the publicity surrounding the NBCSN-televised twin main events on Saturday, Oct 18, is an intriguing eight-round middleweight match.    It features Tyrone Brunson, of Philadelphia, and DeCarlo Perez, of Atlantic City, NJ, in what figures to be an explosive contest at the 2300 Arena at 2300 South Swanson Street. The Brunson-Perez showdown will serve as the main preliminary contest to the doubleheader main event:  Steve “USS” Cunningham, of Philadelphia, vs. Natu Visinia, Lakewood, CA, 10 rounds, heavyweights; Edner Cherry, Wauchula, FL, vs.Jerry Belmontes, Corpus Christi, TX, 10 rounds, lightweights.  NBCSN will televise Cunningham-Visinia and Cherry-Belmontes on its popular Fight Night series beginning at 9pm (EST). Brunson (right), 29, set some kind of record when he turned pro in 2005 and knocked out all of his first 19 opponents in one round.  That streak ended in 2008 when Brunson was held to a six-round draw by Mexican Antonio Soriano in Canada. Overall, Brunson is 22-2-1, 21 K0s, including a stoppage—first round, of course--in his last fight June 1over Jansel Mateo in the loser’s Dominican Republic backyard. Now managed by Mark Cipparone and trained by Sloan Harrison, Brunson appears ready to get his career jump-started again.  Though he lives in Philadelphia, the Oct. 18fight with Perez will mark Brunson’s first pro fight there since his debut in 2005.  Instead, he has boxed in Michigan, Indiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Connecticut, Texas, Canada, Dominican Republic and New Zealand. “Fighting in my hometown means more to me than ever before,” Brunson said.  “I have not fought in Philly since my pro debut at the Blue Horizon so I can’t wait to give my friends, family and fans the performance of a lifetime.  I never realized that I would have this extra boost that I am feeling right now just because I will have my people there rooting for me.  Crazy as it seems, I now have a second chance because this feels like my pro debut all over again. “I absolutely have something to prove.  One thing that no one should deny, however, is that I have K0 power.  The knockout thing is both a gift and a curse, but as far as the skeptics go, all I can do is to take this first step by defeating Perez.  I have 20 first-round knockouts and that should bring those curious boxing fans out to South Philly that night.  I am looking forward to a packed house with those who support me and those who are curious to see what I’m all about.” Perez (below left), 23, appears to be coming into his own, having won six of his last seven, dropping only an eight-round split decision to Wilky Campfort, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, earlier this year in Atlantic City. A pro since 2010, Perez is 12-3-1, 4 K0s.  In his last fight Aug. 2 in Atlantic City, he earned a six-round decision over Marcus Willis, of Ft. Myers, FL. “I’ve been working hard in the gym but there still are a few things to fix,” Perez said.  “I’ll be ready for anything Brunson brings.  He may try to come out fast, like he does in most of his fights, or he may want to start slower and save something for the later rounds.” Co-trainer Hassan Hameed-El:  “This fight will prove what we already know—DeCarlo is one of the best middleweight prospects in the country.  He should be in line for a regional title after this, certainly a spot among the Top 15 in the country.  This fight reinforces what people have seen.  DeCarlo has fought undefeated fighters, experienced fighters, tough fighters.” The Oct. 18 show includes a six-round all-Philadelphia lightweight contest betweenVictor Vasquez and Gerald Smith. Vasquez, 31, is known as The Fighting Barber since he cuts hair when he is not boxing.  A pro since 2006, Vasquez is 16-9-1, 7 K0s.  He has not boxed since March 21when he lost an unpopular eight-round decision to Osnel Charles, of Atlantic City, at Harrah’s Philadelphia. This will mark Vasquez’ 10th pro fight in this building, formerly known as the New Alhambra, Arena and Asylum Arena.  He is 7-2-1 there. Smith, 29, also has been idle lately, last boxing March 29 when he dropped a four-round decision to Wellington Romero, a member of the Dominican Republic Olympic team, in Atlantic City.  That was Smith’s first fight in six years; he is 3-1, 1 K0. Three four-round fights complete the seven-bout card. Tickets are priced at $50 and $75 they are on sale at Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) or online at www.peltzboxing.com. They also can be purchased through Wanamaker’s Tickets (215-568-2400).   The event is sponsored by Rocco’s Collision.   About October 18 The Oct. 18 edition of NBCSN Fight Night will take place at the 2300 Arena at 2300 Swanson Street in South Philadelphia.  It features a 10-round heavyweight fight between Steve “USS” Cunningham, of Philadelphia, and Natu Visinia, of Lakewood, CA.   A 10-round junior lightweight contest between Edner Cherry, of Wauchula, FL, and Jerry Belmontes, of Corpus Christi, TX is the co-feature.  Five additional fights open the show at 6.45 PM (EST). Tickets are $50 and $75 and are available by calling Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) or going online at www.peltzboxing.com.  They also can be purchased at Wanamakers Tickets (215-568-2400).  The card is presented by Main Events and Peltz Boxing in association with Final Forum Promotions and BAM Boxing. The NBCSN Fight Night telecast will begin at 9 PM ET.  Doors open at 6 PM. The event is sponsored by Rocco’s Collision.   NBC Sports Live Extra  NBC Sports Live Extra: NBC Sports Group's live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices and tablets -- will live stream Fight Night at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST onOct. 18. For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.