When Alex “The Brick City Bullet” Perez looks at his home city of Newark, NJ, he doesn’t see what is portrayed in the media, newspapers, and on TV. There is a constant flow of negative energy around the city he calls home, but that’s not what Alex sees. In his eyes, there is a ton of potential in the youth of Newark…and the healthy influence of a role model like Alex could spark some of these kids to greatness.
“I’m just trying to give back little by little,” Alex says. “When I was coming up, nobody ever gave back…so that’s my goal.” This determination of kindness was put on display in 2013, when Alex held two events at Dr. E. Alma Flagg Elementary School. In August, he set up a back to school drive and handed out boxes of notebooks, backpacks, pens and various school supplies to all the kids. This past December, he made another visit to the school wearing a Santa hat and a championship belt to brighten up the holidays for the students of Flagg Elementary. Alex had a stack of photos to personally autograph for the kids, and proceeded to fill the school cafeteria with tables full of toys, games, and sporting goods to hand out to the students for Christmas. The goal he had set out was accomplished just by seeing the smiling faces of the students that day, hoping with one small gift he could give a positive impact on their Christmas, and possibly more.
Alex Perez with a Flagg Elementary student
As Perez opens his heart to these kids, it is still burning for what 2014 will offer him. Alex says he is “Not taking no for an answer this year,” and his “Main goal is to fight for a title by the end of 2014.” This burning desire is fueled by a painful first career loss he took in September, 2012 to Antonin Decarie on a nationally televised HBO title fight. “I’m a very tough fighter, and always give the fans what they want. I only have one loss and I wasn’t even at 50 percent when I stepped in that ring, but I still never thought about losing.” Before his usual fights, Alex will gain an average of 13-15 pounds after he has weighed in the day before. Not only could he not gain any weight, but he also caught a stomach virus the night before. “Instead of being smart and pulling out of the fight, I went out there thinking I was Super Man…but it was a lesson learned. A lesson that won’t happen again.” Alex is looking to avenge the worst night of his career, and is hopeful for a rematch in the future. “That’s behind me now, but I would love a rematch. I want it so bad. I would even do it for free. It would be the biggest blessing for that to happen, but if not, then it’s on to the next one.” Perez bounced back in April, 2013 earning a powerful unanimous decision victory over a tough fighter in Kenny Abril, held at a KEA boxing show in New Jersey. The momentum from that victory will drive a very hungry Alex Perez into 2014 in pursuit of another title shot.
Until then, Alex will keep working hard and giving back to those in his community. He sends a special thanks to Tanice Fairman, who is his backbone in these events, handling many responsibilities and hours of work, and Principal Malloy, who is always helpful and accommodating. “It’s been a blessing for me and my team (Team Perez, Brick City Boxing) to do what we have been able to do so far, but the more I rise, the more I will do for the less fortunate. ”
For information and videos from Alex Perez’s back to school drive, click the following links:
http://brickcityboxing.com/2013/11/01/video-alex-perez-one-community-time-presentation/
For more information on the career and life of Alex Perez, check out the following article:
http://www.doghouseboxing.com/DHB/Lelchuk040210.htm
– Joe Latti, Brick City Boxing
