Cork-based heavyweight suffers devastating first-round KO in world title eliminator

MIKE ‘THE REBEL’ Perez had a tough time in Moscow last night.

Topping the bill against Alexander Povetkin at the Luzhniki Arena, Perez’s bout against the Russian lasted just 91 seconds.

Povetkin (29-1), an Olympic gold medallist in 2004 whose only professional loss came against Wladimir Klitschko, knocked out Perez in the very first round to become the mandatory challenger to newly-crowned WBC champion Deontay Wilder.

Perez (21-2-1) hails from Cuba but has been based in Cork since 2008. Last night’s defeat was the second of his career but it’s the first time he’s been stopped.

‘Spike’ O’Sullivan wants Golovkin next after tonight’s title bout on Sky Sports

‘I like the mentality of the Irish fighter – an aggressive style & flair outside the ring’