Perez Stops Mabuza

By Jim Dower: Bantamweight contender Yohnny Perez (19-0, 14 KOs) defeated Silence Mabuza (22-3, 18 KOs) by a 12th round stoppage on Friday night at the Springs Indoor Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa. Perez, ranked number #3 in the World Boxing Council, #5 in the WBO and #6 in the IBF, trailing in the fight at the time of the stoppage, went after Mabuza in the 12th round and succeeded in tagging him with a big left hand that dropped Mabuza to the canvas, badly hurt.

Somehow, a badly hurt Mabuza got to his feet and was met with a storm of heavy shots by Perez, prompting for referee Kenny Chevalier to step in and halt the fight at 1:06 of the 12th round.