The super lightweight division is heating up as undefeated prospect Angel “Sharpie” Perez prepares for the most significant test of his professional career thus far. In an exclusive interview with World Boxing News, the hard-hitting Pennsylvania native has not only laid out his ambitious plans for the upcoming year but has also set his sights firmly on rising star Emiliano Vargas, injecting an extra layer of intrigue into an already pivotal moment in his career path.
Perez, who currently boasts an unblemished record of 11 wins, no losses, and one draw, with eight of those victories coming inside the distance, is scheduled to make his grand return to the ring on November 13. He will face veteran operator Wesley Ferrer in an eight-round showdown taking place at the historic 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. For Perez, the fight represents much more than just another entry on his record; it is a gateway to the upper echelons of the 140-pound weight class and a crucial stepping stone toward his ultimate aspiration of fighting for a world title.
Despite building an impressive resume since turning professional, the 24-year-old fighter from Harrisburg feels that his accomplishments inside the squared circle have yet to capture the full attention of the boxing public and major promotional landscapes. However, rather than expressing frustration, Perez remains steadfast in his belief that the spotlight will inevitably find him if he continues to perform at an elite level.
Reflecting on his current standing in the sport, Perez expressed both satisfaction with his trajectory
and a burning desire for greater challenges. "I am happy with my progress in the sport," Perez said. "I believe I am ready for a title shot. I don’t think I am getting the recognition I deserve, but I know it will come within time, especially after my performance on November 13th."
With the calendar marching steadily toward 2027, Perez recognizes that securing an emphatic victory in Philadelphia will drastically alter his career landscape. The matchup against Ferrer is strategically vital, serving as a litmus test for a young fighter eager to prove he belongs among the elite contenders in the division.
Angel Perez vs. Wesley Ferrer
The upcoming encounter at the 2300 Arena pits youth and momentum against seasoned ring generalship. Wesley Ferrer steps into the ring with a wealth of experience accrued over a hard-fought professional journey, carrying a respectable record of 18 wins, two losses, and one draw, featuring eight knockouts of his own.
Based out of Brooklyn, New York, Ferrer has proven himself to be a formidable test for any up-and-coming contender. His stock rose considerably in September 2025 when he earned a hard-fought split-decision victory over the previously undefeated and highly regarded prospect Giovanni Marquez. That win demonstrated Ferrer’s ability to disrupt the plans of rising fighters and showcased his tactical savvy on the big stage.
Yet, Perez approaches the matchup with supreme confidence, unfazed by the veteran experience that Ferrer brings across the canvas. Rather than viewing the Brooklyn native as a stumbling block, Perez sees him as an opportunity to make a definitive statement about his own ceiling in the sport.
"My opponent is a vet in this game with a lot of experience," Perez noted. "I believe I am levels above him and will outclass him."
A key element of Perez’s confidence stems from his devastating punching power. With nearly three-quarters of his professional victories ending before the final bell, he has established a reputation as a dangerous finisher in the super lightweight division. Perez attributes this evolution in power not to natural raw strength alone, but to a meticulous transition in his training philosophy as he adapted to the demands of the professional ranks.
"My power started to come when I transitioned my training from the amateur style to the pro style," Perez explained. "More conditioning, endurance, and strength training, along with more inside technical fighting. But the power has evolved during my pro career. I push myself more and more every camp, and it shows in my record."
Beyond his physical attributes and finishing ability, Perez believes that his distinct combination of in-ring ferocity and out-of-the-ring humility sets him apart from many of his undefeated peers. In a sport often dominated by theatrical posturing and manufactured personas, Perez prefers to let his dedication and ring dominance speak for themselves.
"My name is set apart because of my style of boxing and who I am outside of the ring," Perez stated. "I am very humble, and I am a beast in the ring!"
Emiliano Vargas Callout
Looking beyond the immediate challenge posed by Ferrer, Perez has already mapped out a clear timeline for his career aspirations. Should he emerge victorious on November 13, the Harrisburg prospect envisions a championship opportunity materializing sometime in 2027. To get there, however, he is willing to clear out the most dangerous and talked-about names in and around his weight class.
Chief among those targets is Emiliano Vargas. The unbeaten young talent—carrying the proud boxing legacy of his father, former world champion Fernando Vargas—has been making considerable waves at 140 pounds. Vargas further enhanced his reputation earlier this year with an impressive fourth-round stoppage victory over Bryce Mills in June, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s most promising young talents.
Interestingly, Perez’s path toward Vargas has a unique backstory. The Pennsylvania standout had previously targeted Giovanni Marquez for a high-profile clash. However, because Ferrer handed Marquez his first professional defeat, Perez reasons that the logical next step is to defeat the man who conquered his previous target before setting his sights on the next major challenge in the division.
"I’ve called out Giovanni Marquez," Perez said. "But once I beat the guy who beat him, I guess I would have to move onto someone else, so I would love to fight Emiliano Vargas!"
By publicly calling out Vargas, Perez has effectively put the rest of the 140-pound division on notice. Before any marquee matchups against fighters like Vargas can materialize, however, Perez must first navigate the dangerous waters of an eight-round contest against a battle-tested veteran in Wesley Ferrer.
As fight night approaches at the 2300 Arena, the stakes could not be higher. A dominant performance on November 13 would not only validate Perez’s immense self-belief and silence any remaining doubters, but it would also provide his championship campaign with the significant momentum needed to make serious waves in 2027.
