PENALOSA HAS SPARRED BEFORE WITH MARAON'S OPPONENT, PAYANO
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 08 Jun 2013
Former two division world champion Gerry Penalosa has sparred with undefeated Jundy ?Pretty Boy? Maraon?s opponent who is also unbeaten, North American Boxing Association and WBA Fedelatin bantamweight champion Juan Carlos Payano of the Dominican Republic.
The world title eliminator will be held at the Richard J. Codey Arena in New Jersey on June 14.
Maraon who is managed by former North Cotabato governor Manny Pinol and Vincent Scolpino, has a record of 15-0-1 with 12 knockouts while Payano?s record is 13-0 with 7 knockouts.
The fight is expected to be a war between two undefeated southpaws who have amazing punching power.
Pinol told the Manila Standard that Maraon was a ?strong puncher and has a good chance of winning? although he conceded that Payano is also a tough opponent.
However, Penalosa said that Payano whom he sparred with some three years ago at the Wild Card Gym of celebrated trainer Freddie Roach in a conversation with the Manila Standard, underplayed the supposed power of Payano and noted that his defense was suspect although he credited him with being ?courageous, works hard and throws lots of punches.?
Payano is ranked No. 5 in the world by the WBA, No. 10 by the WBC and No. 14 by the IBF but apparently and rather inexplicably Maraon is not rated in the top ten of the leading world organizations.
The Dominican Republic fighter has been sparring with talented southpaws to get ready for Maraon who he believes is a strong puncher and someone who represents a great challenge.
Among Payano?s sparring partners have been 30 year old Cuban Jessy Cruz who has a record of 9-5-1 with 3 records and Idiel Torriente.
Payano reportedly held an intense sparring session this past Tuesday, going four, five-minute rounds each against Jessy Cruz (9-5-1, 3 KO?s, a 30 year old Cuban southpaw and Idiel Torriente, totaling eight rounds and 40 minutes of intense work at German Caicedo's Gym.
Acquinity Sports promoter Henry Rivalta realizes that "This fight is a big challenge for Payano."He will be facing Jundy Maraon at 118 pounds, which is a great risk due to the power Maraon has shown in his fights. However, we know about the Payano's courage and determination, and that's why we call him 'Baby Pacquiao.' We're confident of getting a great victory for Payano."
The 28 year old Maraon won his last fight by a 3rd round TKO over Ernie Marquez at the Chumash Casino in California on September 21 last year. He dropped Marquez with vicious body shots in rounds 2 and 3 before referee Lou Moret called a halt at 1:05 of the third round.
The 29 year old Payano won the vacant NABA title with a 9th round TKO over Jhon Alberto Molina of Colombia on July 21, 2012 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida and battered Molina to win by a 2nd round TKO in a rematch last May 10.
A two-time Olympian who won the gold medal at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games, Payano lost to eventual silver medalist Jerome Thomas of France in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games where Thomas was beaten in the finals to Cuba?s current WBA/IBF featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa.
The 28 year old Maraon won his last fight by a 3rd round TKO over Ernie Marquez at the Chumash Casino in California on September 21 last year. He dropped Marquez with vicious body shots in rounds 2 and 3 before referee Lou Moret called a halt at 1:05 of the third round.
The 29 year old Payano won the vacant NABA title with a 9th round TKO over Jhon Alberto Molina of Colombia on July 21, 2012 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida and battered Molina to win by a 2nd round TKO in a rematch last May 10.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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