By Lee Collier

Denton-based trainer Lee Beard has recently teamed up and took over training duties of the promising Irish based Cubans Alexei Acosta, Mike Perez and Luis Garcia.  The 35-year-old trainer is expanding to his camp of fighters after recently guiding Joan Guzman to victory over Ali Funeka in a rematch after Guzman drew the first fight.

The three Cuban fighters all turned pro in 2008 under the management of Gary Hyde but have recently moved to a new manager and promoter in Patrick Thomas and Brian Peters.  Alongside getting a new management team, the boxers, who have previously trained with Glenn McCrory, have been working with the rising Beard since April who has been in the corner for their fights during June.

Beard, who has been holding his training camp in Ireland, taking fellow fighters Dean Harrison and Adrian Gonzalez with him, has been impressed with what he has seen so far from the Cuban prospects.

“Potentially they are very good,” revealed Beard to Boxingscene.com.  “They all have an abundance of skill and are very tough kids.  They all have an excellent amateur pedigree and if they have the character and determination to succeed then they have definitely the talent to go all the way.”

Beard then briefly spoke about the three fighters.  “Mike Perez is very fast on his feet for a heavyweight,” revealed Beard.  “He also has great hand speed and we are working on certain areas and he is improving every week.  He recently beat Jason Barnett with a first round stoppage, and Barnett took Audley Harrison five rounds but Mike swarmed Barnett who couldn’t handle him.”

“Luis Garcia is now punching more like a professional and Nathan King said he was the toughest opponent he has faced,” said an excited Beard.  “Luis became only the third boxer to stop King, who has taken fighters such as James DeGale, Tony Jeffries and Tony Dodson the distance so he is looking good at the moment.”

Beard then finished by talking about super-bantamweight Acosta; “Alexei Acosta has a great record with 11 wins and all of them by stoppage victory.  Although his last opponent had a poor record, as he was a last minute replacement, he did what he was expected to do and is a top prospect.  Back in February, he beat Felix Machado, a former world champion so that shows his potential.”