Abraham Perez defends his WBA interim flyweight title against Yankiel Rivera on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Kiva Auditorium in Albuquerque, New Mexico. DAZN coverage starts at 8pm ET with main-event ring walks estimated for 11pm ET .
The unbeaten champion fights at home. Rivera arrives from Puerto Rico aiming to take the belt, while Atif Oberlton meets Deon Nicholson in the ten-round co-main event.
What Time Does Perez vs Rivera Start?
The DAZN main card begins at 8pm ET / 5pm PT / 6pm MT on November 7, corresponding to 1am GMT on Sunday, November 8.
Preliminary coverage starts at 4:30pm ET / 1:30pm PT / 2:30pm MT / 9:30pm GMT on November 7. Wynn Records Network carries that five-fight session, headlined by Pedro Taduran defending his IBF minimumweight championship against Brandon Moreno.
Estimated Perez vs Rivera Ring-Walk Time
Main-event ring walks are estimated for approximately 11pm ET / 8pm PT / 9pm MT on November 7, or 4am GMT on November 8.
Ring-walk times can move depending on the length of the undercard.
How to Watch Perez vs Rivera
DAZN exclusively broadcasts the four-fight main card, opening with heavyweight Sardius Simmons against Cesar Navarro.
The preliminaries stream separately on Wynn Records Network. That broadcast includes Taduran vs Moreno, an Albuquerque rematch between Josh Torres and Jose Luis Sanches, and Parminder Pannu’s professional debut.
Perez vs Rivera DAZN Fight Card
Abraham Perez (15-0, 7 KOs) vs Yankiel Rivera (8-1-1, 4 KOs)
WBA interim flyweight championship, 12 rounds.
Division limit: 112lbs (50.8kg).
Atif Oberlton vs Deon Nicholson (23-1, 19 KOs)
Light heavyweight co-main event, 10 rounds.
Division limit: 175lbs (79.4kg).
Pryce Taylor (13-0, 8 KOs) vs Tsotne Rogava (13-1, 8 KOs)
Heavyweight, 10 rounds.
Sardius Simmons (10-0, 6 KOs) vs Cesar Navarro (15-4, 13 KOs)
Heavyweight, eight rounds. Opening DAZN bout.
Wynn Records Network Preliminary Card
Pedro Taduran (20-4-1, 14 KOs) vs Brandon Moreno (16-0, 5 KOs)
IBF minimumweight championship. Preliminary main event.
Division limit: 105lbs (47.6kg).
Da’Velle Smith (15-0, 9 KOs) vs Tariq Green (8-4-2, 4 KOs)
Super middleweight, eight rounds.
Division limit: 168lbs (76.2kg).
Josh Torres (31-7-2, 17 KOs) vs Jose Luis Sanches (14-7-2, 4 KOs)
Welterweight rematch, 10 rounds.
Division limit: 147lbs (66.7kg).
Parminder Pannu (professional debut) vs Peter Balderas (2-3, 2 KOs)
Super middleweight, four rounds.
Division limit: 168lbs (76.2kg).
Jose Nieves (13-0, 10 KOs) vs Bryan Santiago (2-8-1)
Super flyweight, six rounds. Preliminary opener.
Division limit: 115lbs (52.2kg).
Perez Defends at Home Against Rivera
Perez makes his first title defence two years after a near-fatal drowning left him in a coma. Having recovered and resumed his career, he now headlines in Albuquerque with his unbeaten record and interim belt at stake.
“I want to thank my father, who’s been my coach since I was four years old. We’ve been through a lot together, and we’ve beaten the odds. To the people who said I would never get back in the ring: Here I am.”
His previous fight took him to Detroit. This time, Perez has prepared at home and expects to be ready for the full championship distance.
“Now I get to bring that energy into the ring in front of my hometown. It’s going to be fireworks. I see it going all 12 rounds, and I’m prepared for every one of them.”
Rivera accepts the challenge of fighting before Perez’s supporters.
“I know we’re in his hometown. I know the crowd will be behind him. That doesn’t change what I came here to do. We’re taking that belt back home to Puerto Rico.”
The challenger also addressed his previous performance at Thursday’s final press conference.
“In my last fight, I was asleep, and that was my mistake. I have to take responsibility for that. But that fight doesn’t decide what happens between me and Perez.”
Venue and Ticket Information
Kiva Auditorium in Albuquerque hosts the event, promoted by Salita Promotions and Legacy Boxing Promotions in association with Wynn Records.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
All you armchair pundits and hype-bro fans, step back and watch the real work. Perez isn’t some fairy-tale comeback; he’s a grinder who eats rounds and mauls the rhythm. Rivera’s speed can peel paint, but Perez’s pressure, timing, and body work will wear him down. If you doubt the champ, you’re just chasing the noise; tonight he takes the interim belt and shuts down the doubters.
Agree or not, the punch timing here decides the night. Rivera’s speed can flash, but Perez’s measured counters and grit will swing late rounds in his favor.
Rivera must pivot off the jab, slip Perez’s front foot, and draw him offline with feints before firing the right hand. Perez should keep the fight at mid-range, cut off the ring with steady steps, and counter Rivera’s attempts with sharp uppercuts on the inside. If Rivera tires, Perez can pace him late and close the show with clean combinations to head and body.
Perez comes out with hometown heat and pressure, dictating the pace from the opening bell. He’ll punish the body, snap the jab, and drive Rivera to the ropes. I’m predicting a 12-round decision in Perez’s favor, perhaps 116-112, with the crowd roaring as he seals it down the stretch.