IBF bantamweight champion Tim “The Cincinnati Kid” Austin fights IBF No.1 contender Jesus Perez on the Holyfield-Ruiz card Saturday night in Las Vegas.

        “I took the fight because Johnny Tapia and Paulie Ayala would not fight me,” Austin (21-0-1, 19 KOs) said Tuesday. “I decided to take on the next best thing, the No.1 contender (Perez, 20-0-2, 11 KOs). I am prepared mentally, physically and spiritually.”

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