The bout headlines a card promoted by Rising Star Promotions.
On Training Camp:
Aikens--“I had a 10-week camp, and it was great. I am prepared for a good fight on Saurday.”
Perez-“Camp was tremendous. I had a fantastic camp. It was a lot of hurt, but it was worth it with all the road work and great sparring. It was tough, but it was my best camp.”
On Your Opponent:
Aikens--“Perez is tough, and I know he is going to being his “A” Game. He is going to come in shape. But I know what I have, and how I prepared, so there is nothing to worry about.”
Perez--“Aikens is somebody else that is in the way of something that I want. He has to go. I know he is the one who wanted this fight, but that is his business. There is not much I can say about that.”
Does this mean anything more that your opponent is from Atlantic City?
Aikens--“This is one of those fights that is for bragging rights. It is for the State Championship. It is one of those fights that I never expected to happen, but it is here, so I am going to make the best of it.”
Perez-“To me, he wants to prove that he is the best in the area. He had to fight someone who is one of the best. I tip my hat to hip, because he acknowledged me as one of the best.”
What does a win do for your career?
Aikens–“A win gets my career to the next level. For my sake, A win is very credible because who he has fought and defeated.”
Perez–“A win gets my momentum back. A push to go forward. This is a must win fight for me.”
DeCarlo, how do you feel at 168-pounds?
Perez–“168 is fine with me. I train hard and when I am fight at this weight, it is not a priority. I can just focus on training to win. When I fight at 160 or 168, I can just focus on my craft., and I do not have to hurt myself making weight.
Final Thoughts on the fight:
Aikens-“I am prepared to go to war. I will use my boxing ability. That is who I am, but If I have to go to war, then I will.
Perez–“It is going to be an interesting and action packed fight. We are both coming to fight to see who is the best in the area.
In the eight-round co-feature, Greg Jackson (8-7-1, 2 KOs) of Philadelphia battles Julius Dyis (9-1, 4 KOs) of Clarksdale, Mississippi in a fight for the WBF Welterweight Title.
In a six-round battle of New Jersey based junior welterweights, John Bauza (10-0, 5 KOs) of North Bergen takes on Rashad Bogar (4-7-1, 2 KOs) of Newark.
In four-round bouts:
Tahlik Taylor (3-11-1, 1 KO) of Greensboro, NC fights Travis Toledo (1-0) of Baltimore, Maryland in a light heavyweight battle.
Ryan Wilczak (6-0, 3 KOs) of Scranton, PA squares off with Alberto Delgado (0-3) of Roanoke, Virginia in a middleweight contest.
Omar Salem (3-0) of Brooklyn New York will fight Mike Anderson (0-2) of Philadelphia in a middleweight fight.
Isaiah Hart of Atlantic City will make his pro debut against Dillan Kasprzak (0-1) of Philadelphia in a lightweight fight.
Nahir Albright (3-1, 1 KO) of Philadelphia battles Glenford Nickey (4-1, 1 KO) of Brooklyn, New York in a lightweight bout.
Jahmal Dyer (5-1, 3 KOs) of Baltimore, Maryland boxes against Marcos Lugo (0-1) of Vineland, New Jersey in a lightweight bout.
Ry’Shine Collins of Philadelphia makes his pro debut against Lucky Holt (0-2) of Hannibal, Missouri in a bantamweight fight.
Steve Moore (1-4, 1 KO) of Orange, New Jersey takes on Kashon Hutchinson (3-5, 1 KO) of Reading, Pennsylvania in a welterweight bout.
2018 National Golden Gloves champion Roney Hines (3-0, 3 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio battles Kendrick Houston (1-3, 1 KO) of Concord, NC in a heavyweight fight.
