The 28 year-old Cuban, who fights out of Ireland, was in control initially until a gash was opened up on his right eye by an accidental headbutt from Takam, which seemed to take a bit of the fight out of Perez.
Takam, 33, took advantage in the later rounds as Perez seemed to struggle in what was his first fight since his ill-fated clash with Magomed Abdusalamov that ended with the Russian suffering life-threatening injuries.
The styles of the two fighter’s failed to gel from the off as the crowd grew restless waiting for the main event of Jean Pascal v Lucian Bute, and it is doubtful whether any moves will be made to seal a rematch from either side.
Perez had the skills to make the night far easier than it eventually turned out to be, although there was something missing from the former Prizefighter champion which will obviously lead some to point to his sad bout with Abdusalamov, whose name was etched into the southpaw’s trunks.
It may have been simply too soon a return to action following the November outing in New York City and some timeout may now be required for Perez to recharge his batteries and re-focus. Final scores were 96-94 Perez and 95-95 (twice).
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