Author: THOMPSON BOXING PROMOTIONS
Photo: TOM CASINO/SHOWTIME SPORTS
Date: 11/19/2009
LOS ÁNGELES – After a whirlwind journey
that led him to the top of the boxing world on October 31st, the night he took
the I.B.F. bantamweight title from Joseph Agbeko, Yonnhy Pérez is rightfully
enjoying the fruits of his labor while being celebrated back home in his country
of Colombia all week.
The week begins for Pérez on November 19th, as
W.B.A. President Gilberto Mendoza recognizes Pérez as a Colombian hero and
invites him to the general assembly of the organization’s 88th convention in
Medellin.
Following this presentation, Pérez and his
promoters, Thompson Boxing Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions, travel to the
Hotel Caribe in Cartagena on Friday, November 20th, for the official Yonnhy
Pérez Hometown Victory Press Conference, which will be attended by not only the
local media, the President of the Colombian Boxing Federation, and many local
Council members and sports dignitaries, but by Cartagena Mayor Judith Pinedo.
The next stop on Pérez’ tour will be an emotional
one, as he visits the gym where he learned the sport of boxing. While there, he
will meet with his original trainer and also donate money, clothing, and
equipment to the gym. Finally, Pérez and his team will wrap the week up on
Saturday, November 21st with a celebration in the neighborhood where he grew up,
Barrio La Delicias.
This celebration – which was put together by
Belsario Hurtado, the President of the local youth program, Project Cartagena -
will include a parade, music, dancing, and food, and is capped off by a speech
from the champ himself, who will let the youth of his neighborhood know that
anything is possible if you work hard. Yonnhy Perez is living
proof.
(1) Votes 
Uruguay
Venezuela