Perez comes home a week after near-fatal incident

Aug. 10—A week after nearly drowning in his family's swimming pool, Albuquerque boxer Abraham Perez came home.

"I was on life support last Friday-Monday morning," Perez posted on Facebook. "Prayers were definitely answered.

"... I will continue to box as I will continue to recover, box and live for (God). ... Thank you all again for your continued support and prayers."

Perez had been doing breathing-control exercises — swimming underwater for extended periods — when the near-fatal incident took place. He'd been working out under the observation of his father, and trainer, Aaron Perez, but continued to swim after the session was concluded.

His parents, who were still present by the pool, suddenly realized he was not responsive. They removed him from the pool and executed CPR until an ambulance arrived.

Perez (10-0, five knockouts) was training for a much-anticipated flyweight fight against fellow Albuquerquean Matt Griego-Ortega (14-0, 10 KOs), scheduled for Saturday at Tingley Coliseum on the Angelo Leo-Luis Alberto Lopez card.

The absence of the Perez vs. Griego-Ortega fight is a major loss to the card, but Perez's parents are just grateful their son is alive and recovering well.

"(Friday) was a roller coaster of emotions, since (the previous Friday) was the day our worlds were turned upside down with uncertainty," the Perezes, Aaron and Cynthia, posted on Facebook. "... Happy and sad emotions settled in, but got through it all together."