By KEVIN JAKAHI
By KEVIN JAKAHI
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
Sometimes, mixed martial arts champions come out of small garage gyms in Keaukaha, like where the Killabeez Striking System club is based.
Jeremy Pereira, from Killabeez, will take on Federico Vento, from AP Boxing, for the Just Scrap 115-pound amateur title on Friday at Hilo Civic.
Pereira (2-0) grew up in Waianae, where his grandpa Fred “Pops” Pereira founded the Waianae Boxing Club.
He eventually came to the Big Island in 2012, and tagged along with a friend to Killabeez founder Omar Cabbab’s house.
“One of the guys invited me to spar, and I never left,” Pereira said. “I look up to my grandpa. I owe everything to him. All my striking comes from him, and the way I carry myself outside the gym. Disciple is one of the biggest things he taught me.”
Cabbab trained both Pereira, 21, and Vento, a 2013 Hilo graduate and wrestler and judoka, so figuring out a game plan is made easier with inside knowledge.
“Jeremy is well-rounded,” Cabbab said. “He’s good in the two disciplines, boxing and jiu-jitsu. Anywhere the fight goes he’ll be OK.”
Pereira’s last fight was a submission victory over Dominic Abalos in a Star Elite Cage Fighting 125-pound bout on May 22 on Oahu.
He won by Peruvian necktie. What’s that you ask? Google it. The move looks quite painful.
Cabbab has 10 fighters, including five who consistently fight around the state. Pereira is the only Killabeez at Just Scrap.
Chad Armitage is the 185-pound champion of Man Up &Stand Up, a kickboxing promotion on Oahu. Cabbab’s other prize fighter and title holder is Abasi Young, the 155 Star Elite Cage Fighting champion.
In 2003, Cabbab was the 154-pound Hawaii State Junior Olympic Boxing champion. He’s from Kauai, moved to the Big Island, and started his club to give Keaukaha fighters something to shoot for.
“My goal was to give these guys something to do, and let them get recognition,” he said. “I want them to do something that’s positive in their life and stay out of trouble.”
On Wednesday, Cabbab and Pereira were at BJ Penn’s Training and Fitness Center. Pereira hopped in the downstairs sauna to cut weight.
“JD Penn has been such a big help,” Cabbab said. “He’s given us title shots and lets us use the sauna. Sergio Mamone from Hawaii International Boxing Club has been a big help. We spar with their guys at the Waiakea Rec Center.”
Pereira can become the first fighter from Killabeez to hold a Just Scrap title. But it won’t be easy because Vento is trained by Anthony Pagan, a former Golden Gloves champion boxer.
In a Just Scrap event last November, Vento submitted Koa Menza with a rear-naked choke in the first round.
“We’ve had nothing but a nice progression fighting the best guys around the state,” Cabbab said. “It’s the first 115-pound title fight in the state ever. Even though we come from a small garage, we’re going for respect and putting our name out there.
“We just want it to be a good fight, please the fans, and win this belt.”