By Francisco Salazar

Heavyweight contender Mike Perez has begun working with trainer Robert Garcia, K2 Promotions Managing Director Tom Loeffler confirmed to BoxingScene.com on Sunday afternoon.

Perez is promoted by K2 Promotions.

Within the last month or so, Perez has begun training with Robert Garcia in Oxnard, Calif. Garcia trains Marcos Maidana, Brandon Rios, Evgeny Gradovich, and Miguel "Mikey" Garcia.

The Cuban-born Perez, who defected to Ireland in 2007, is winless in his last two bouts. He fought to an uninspiring 10 round majority decision draw against Carlos Takam on January 18.

In his last bout on July 26, Perez (20-1-1, 12 KOs) lost a 12 round split decision to Bryant Jennings at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Some in boxing wonder if Perez has psychologically gotten over the Magomed Abdusalamov bout in November of last year. Perez would win a hard-fought unanimous decision, but Abdusalamov fell into a coma the following morning, where doctors had to perform a procedure to remove a blood clot that likely saved his life. Abdusalamov showed enough improvement that he was cleared to go home to his wife and three daughters in September.

Perez has been trained by Abel Sanchez in the past. Perez worked with trainer Adam Booth for the Jennings fight.

No word yet on when Perez will return to the ring.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Salazar also covers boxing for the Ventura County (CA) Star newspaper, RingTV, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing