On November 4, 2010, Pérez announced that he would sign a professional contract, closing his amateur career after 82 contests. On that date his trainer, José Bonilla, noted that he would move up to the super bantamweight division, citing difficulty to make the bantamweight professional limit of 118 pounds. Pérez debuted on February 25, 2011, defeating Jaime González by technical knockout in two rounds, following three knockdowns. He won his second contest a month later, dispatching Desi Williams in the first round. On May 6, 2011, Pérez fought Sigfredo Medina, who refused to answer the bell for the fourth and final round.
