Efrain Lebron and Gerard White both had Perez winning 115-113, while Pat Schmidt deemed Gonzalez a narrow winner by the same score. DAZN streamed the action as the 112-pound division experienced more movement among the elite with a new secondary champion crowned at GLC Live at 20 Monroe in Michigan, Grand Rapids.

Ricardo Sandoval (27-2, 18 KOs) is the reigning WBC and WBA titleholder, though hasn't boxed since earning a split decision upset win of his own against Kenshiro Teraji in Yokohama, Japan last July.

He was set to headline a reshuffled Matchroom card in Sheffield, England on June 6 before the challenger withdrew through an undisclosed training injury. Then late last month, the 27-year-old was slated to defend his titles against Yoali Mosqueda on the Oscar Collazo-Joey Canoy June 20 bill before failing to materialize.

Perez (15-0, 7 KOs) welcomed the challenge of Golden Boy-backed Sandoval.

"If he's willing, I would like it. If it's not next, I will wait to get it," he said when asked, before promoter Dmitry Salita had Albuquerque greats Johnny Tapia and Danny Romero in mind, hinting they'd like to headline a card with "Hammer" back in his home state.

"One of the great boxing towns in the U.S. is Albuquerque and now they have a world champion, maybe we will have his first defense there. We think Abraham could become a star there and help bring one of America's overlooked fight towns back to the spotlight."

The younger man disguised attacks well and defended well though didn't have it all his own way, against a 35-fight veteran who won and made three WBO junior flyweight title defenses before a flyweight move in late 2024.

Puerto Rican southpaw Gonzalez (29-5-1, 14 KOs) is now 1-2 in his last three appearances after suffering the first points loss of his career, one he believed he did enough to prevail in.

"I won the fight, landed the better shots ... he throws a lot of punches, but I thought I landed better. I'm disappointed and surprised, but it's part of sport," the 35-year-old said post-fight.

Competitive exchanges made this a closely-fought duel over 12 rounds though the right man prevailed.

An overhand right through Gonzalez's guard in the final minute of the opening frame prompted the favorite into a burst of success, unloading with a sustained body attack as Perez circled and sought to counter.

Gonzalez started round two fast and furiously, though Perez found gaps to exploit and he froze "Bomba" with a right hand along the ropes, then later caught him cleanly with a left hook.

They broke out into a back-and-forth exchange midway through round four, almost taking turns to get their combination punching off before Perez pivoted as he jabbed and look to keep his distance. It was purposeful, as Gonzalez would always look to dig punches downstairs when at close-range or wildly wing shots.

Perez pitched some of his best work in rounds six and seven, Gonzalez's missed punch output was more pronounced and he was being peppered with flurries. That didn't deter the workhorse, aware defensive openings could be exploited as evidenced by a looping left hook he landed flush in the eighth.

Gonzalez's forward flurries saw him increasingly drained as Perez feinted nicely and evaded danger for large periods in the ninth, sneaking uppercuts and jabs where possible. Increasingly physical as neither man wanted to concede an inch on the front foot in round ten, both had success though the younger man countered well.

Conceivably a contest still up for grabs in the final six minutes, Gonzalez found a second wind and intensified his pressure, though Perez stifled most of his flashy work to remain undefeated from a fight he'll learn plenty from.

In the event's chief support, Michigan lightweight Joshua Pagan (16-0, 5 KOs) bossed proceedings from start to finish en route to a wide 10-round points win over Rodolfo Bustamante (23-2-1, 13 KOs).

Bustamante stayed low and let his hands fly with intention in the opening round, though that urgency merely encouraged Pagan to find his rhythm quicker.

The 26-year-old graded the display a B-level performance, aware he could have done things differently to secure a finish and rubberstamp an authoritative evening, though made the second defense of his WBO trinket title without much fuss.

"I'll watch the tape and improve, my opponent was incredibly tough, a classic Mexican fighter from Culiacan with great counterpunching skills and a ton of heart. I'm ready for bigger opportunities and absolutely see myself fighting for a major title within my next fight or two," he said in his post-fight interview.

New Salita Promotions signee Troy Isley (16-0, 6 KOs) delivered his first stoppage in two years, needing five rounds to dismiss Spain's Leonardo Di Stefano (17-8, 14 KOs) with a spiteful punching performance.

Middleweight contender Isley, who clinched a WBA trinket title on his return, ended a year-long layoff but isn't content feasting on unheralded opposition any longer after several years outpointing regional-level operators.

The 27-year-old, rated No. 4 by The Ring at 160 pounds, called for matchups against world champions Erislandy Lara (WBA) and Carlos Adames (WBC).

The pair, whose personal ties prevent them from engaging in a title unification, are not short of suitors though Adames appears close to agreeing a September fight with IBF super middleweight champion Osleys Iglesias.

Michigan middleweight hopeful Jaquan McElroy pitched a six-round points win over Damian Munoz, before his manager and five-weight world champion Claressa Shields (18-0, 3 KOs) joined him in the ring.

Shields, No. 2 on The Ring's pound-for-pound list, hinted that an announcement on her next fight is forthcoming.

"I can't say who, where or what weight class, but it's coming. All my fans are going to show up and Jaquan will be on the undercard, we're building a strong brand and have some great fights in the works."

Her words come just days after The Ring's Keith Idec reported talks are progressing for her to drop back down to middleweight, with Ring and unified welterweight champion Lauren Price (10-0, 2 KOs) the target in early 2027.

Shields watched ringside in Cardiff, Wales and had her say after Price ended a 13-month layoff when defending her 147-pound titles with a gritty decision win over Stephanie Aquino on April 4.

The expectation is they will box other opponents, potentially on the same card, before meeting next year. Shields' career-long promoter Salita fanned the flames when asked for an update after Perez's win over Gonzalez.

"Claressa has always been about making legacy, statements, fighting the best and doing things that have never been done before. That's what we're working on, we're finalizing and will have an announcement soon ... it's another historic night for Claressa Shields."

Middleweight: Jaquan McElroy UD6 (60-54, 60-54, 60-54) Damian Munoz Bantamweight: Caleb Tirado UD6 (59-55, 58-56, 58-56) Osmar Rodriguez Junior welterweight: Lance Smith PTS4 (39-37, 39-37, 40-36) Jovanis Rodriguez Heavyweight: Sadarius Simmons TKO2 (1:02) Walter Burns Women's featherweight: Shannel Butler UD8 (80-72, 79-73, 79-73) Mayerlin Rivas Heavyweight: Bryant Jennings UD8 (80-71, 80-71, 79-72) Robert Simms