Chris Avila will return to the region that launched his current win streak.
The iconic combat sports figure is the latest addition to Most Valuable Promotions’ back-to-back fights nights at Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida. Avila lands arguably his toughest assignment to date, as he will face Tampa’s Ariel “Golden Hulk” Perez in a six-round light heavyweight contest that will open the August 23 MVP Fight Night show on DAZN.
Avila-Perez comes in support to a pair of secondary title fights – venue favorite and WBA interim 154lbs titlist Yoenis Tellez, 10-0 (7 KOs) against Abass Baraou, 16-1 (9 KOs); and Yankiel Rivera-Angelino Cordova for the WBA interim 112lbs belt atop the card.
“The addition of Chris Avila vs. Ariel ‘Golden Hulk’ Perez further elevates an already stacked MVP Fight Night card,” MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian said in a joint statement provided to BoxingScene. “Both fighters have delivered on the MVP stage before, and now face off in what promises to be a statement bout—with Avila representing the notoriety of Team Diaz, and Perez looking to rise to the occasion in front of his home state.
“With Team Diaz in the building, the energy in Orlando will be on another level. Saturday, August 23 marks MVP’s biggest non-Jake and Amanda [Serrano] event to date, featuring four WBA world and interim world title bouts, a WBA eliminator, and much more—all live globally on DAZN as part of our first MVP back-2-back weekend.”
The bout represents the toughest matchup to date for both boxers. It will come with Paul in attendance, as well as record-setting, seven-division champ Amanda Serrano.
Avila, 6-1 (0 KOs) will make his fourth career appearance on an MVP show. It’s a unique relationship, given his lengthy role as a regular sparring partner of celebrated mixed martial artist and boxer Nate Diaz, a former rival and longtime antagonist of Jake Paul. Avila and Diaz both live and train in Stockton, California.
His six-fight win streak began with a December 2021 majority decision victory over Anthony Taylor, avenging a loss he endured when both were in MMA. The bout took place on the undercard of Paul’s memorable sixth-round knockout of Tyron Woodley at AMALIE Arena in Tampa.
It also marked Avila’s return to boxing after a seven-year absence, during which time he fought in MMA. He lost his September 2014 pro boxing debut but has been on a roll since he defeated Taylor in the ring.
Victories over Mikhail “Dr. Mike” Varshavski and Paul Bamba further enhanced Avila’s commitment to the sport. His most notable win to date came in his most recent sanctioned pro fight, a six-round decision over Anthony Pettis. The fight took place on the undercard of Diaz’s win over Jorge Masvidal last July 6 in Anaheim, California.
A stiffer challenge is expected from Perez – not that the 32-year-old light heavyweight prospect is the least bit concerned.
“I’m here to fight on Saturday, August 23,” Avila bluntly stated. “I’m coming to win, get the job done and beat this dude’s ass.”
Perez will also fight on his fourth MVP show.
His debut on the circuit came last April, when he defeated Steven Motley via fourth-round, technical knockout on the Most Valuable Prospects 6 show at this venue. Perez was then granted a true home game as he appeared on the undercard of Paul’s knockout win over ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry last July 20 at AMALIE Arena.
Three wins have since followed, including a six-round shutout of Mario Bedolla Orozco as part of the May 9 Most Valuable Prospects 12 show at Caribe Royale. The run leaves the 33-year-old brimming with confidence, and unimpressed with what his opponent has to bring both to the table and into the ring.
“Avila is a guy who likes to do the talking, but we just show up and go to work,” noted Perez. “We do our talking in the ring.
“He’s tough and it’s going to be a hell of a fight, but we hit different!”
