Perozzi to take on 'brawler' Harris

It’s been a two-year hiatus for former world middleweight champ Teresa Perozzi, but she will step back into the ring on Saturday.

Perozzi will be featured in the headline fight for this Saturday’s Smashown at the Berkeley gym.

Reuben Bean, promoter of Smashdown and president of Jiketsu Martial Arts Productions, said the card would include boxing, Sanshou, kickboxing and mixed martial arts.

The main event is a professional middleweight fight between Theresa Perozzi and American Cimberley Harris.

Perozzi, 37, has a professional record of 6-3-1. She hasn’t fought since March 15, 2008 in a title fight with Natascha Ragosina for seven belts including both the WBA and WBC middleweight crowns. She lost the unanimous 10 round decision in Germany. Prior to that she drew with Aasa Sandell in Karlstad for the World Boxing Empire Middleweight title as well as the World Boxing Council International Championship.

Harris, 42, has a record of 5-14 and lost her last bout in August to the ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ Christy Martin.

The 5 ft 6 in boxer normally fights at light middleweight where she is ranked 13th in the world.

Bean said: “We’ll start off with a traditional martial arts taekwondo bout to start the night featuring two young people. We’ll also have a bout between Shanshou versus Muay Thai, an all Shanshou fight, some amateur boxing matches and the professional boxing.

“I am looking forward to seeing Teresa and Cimberley fight. Teresa has a good array of technical skills that should bode well for her in her fight. Cimberley is also a good fighter but is known as a brawler so it will be nice to see the contrast between the brawler and a technician move around and pick her apart.”

The doors open at 7pm with fights starting at 8pm. The cost is $50 in advance or $60 at the door.

Tickets may be purchased at the International Sports Shop, Down to Earth and Secrets.