Mike Perez vs Mairis Briedis could very well be one of the best fights to look forward to over the coming weeks ahead outside of Golovkin vs Canelo.

Date: September 30th, 2017. Arena Riga, Riga, Latvia.

Records and Belts on the line: WBC, IBO Champion Mariris Breidis (22-0 18KO) vs Mike Perez (22-2-1 14KO).

Breidis, the first Latvian to hold a world title, appears to be making a strategic move by choosing Cuban, now fighting out of Ireland, Mike Perez.

Perez is untested at the 200 pound limit and his only fight therein was a very green Viktor Biscak of Croatia which ended in a first round knockout, and before that Perez himself suffered a first round stoppage to Alexander Povetkin more than two years ago.

Despite Perez’s extensive amateur experience it’s hard to fathom a fighter who has fought as little as Perez in recent memory – keeping pace with Breidis who is a force in full stride.

Perez can hang in there with the big guns but there simply will be too much rust on him.

With eight fights in less than three years against superb and experienced foes like Marco Huck and Manual Charr, Breidis will have all he needs to vanquish yet another heavyweight-cruiserweight crossover.

Unless Perez really excels in conditioning and sparring before the bout, to account for all the inactivity, it should be a fairly easy night for Breidis, but expect it to be an entertaining fight throughout.

Mike Perez vs Mairis Briedis Outcome: Bredeis, by unanimous decision victory.