On 22 May 2015 Perez was brutally knocked out by Alexander Povetkin 91 seconds into a WBC heavyweight title eliminator. Following the loss to Povetkin, Perez spent over two years away from the ring, before returning in 2017 as a cruiserweight. World Boxing Super Series  On 6 July, Perez was announced as the final entrant to the cruiserweight World Boxing Super Series (WBSS). Perez vs. Briedis At the Draft Gala, which took place on 8 July in Monte Carlo, Perez was chosen by WBC champion Mairis Briedis as his quarter final opponent. On 22 July, the WBSS announced the fight would take place in Briedis' home country of Latvia at the Riga Arena, Riga, on 30 September 2017.
On 22 May 2015 Perez was brutally knocked out by Alexander Povetkin 91 seconds into a WBC heavyweight title eliminator. Following the loss to Povetkin, Perez spent over two years away from the ring, before returning in 2017 as a cruiserweight. World Boxing Super Series On 6 July, Perez was announced as the final entrant to the cruiserweight World Boxing Super Series (WBSS). Perez vs. Briedis At the Draft Gala, which took place on 8 July in Monte Carlo, Perez was chosen by WBC champion Maria Briedis as her quarter final opponent. On 22 July, the WBSS announced the fight would take place in Briedis' home country of Latvia at the Riga Arena, Riga, on 30 September 2017.