MARAON FIGHTS PAYANO FOR WORLD TITLE ELIMINATOR
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 14 Jun 2013
Jundy Gonzaga Maraon, the undefeated WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion from Sominot, Zamboanga del Sur, will face Juan Carlos Payano of the Dominican Republic at the South Mountain Arena, South Orange, New Jersey on Saturday (Philippine time).
Both boxers are undefeated in their pro careers. Maraon has an unblemished 15-0-1, 12 KOs record while Payano has an immaculate 13-0, 7 KOs slate. Maraon has a bigger KO rate of 75% compared to Payano's 54%.
Nicknamed "Pretty Boy" because of his good looks, he won the WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight title by a third round TKO of Jason Egara on February 2009. He floored Tanzanian Anthony Mathias four times enroute to a 6th round TKO on May 2009 to successfully defend his crown.
Maraon joined the Braveheart Boxing Club of then Cotabato Gov. Manny Pinol in 2005. He went on to train in the US in 2008. But after his win against Mathias he injured his left hand causing his long layoff.
In San Leandro, California, Nonito Donaire, Jr.'s father Nonito, Sr. came to the rescue. During his lowest moments, he found solace with the Donaire family.
Maraon has signed with Greg Cohen Promotions and was very happy to be promoted by the US-based boxing promoter. Prior to that, he was contracted with Gary Shaw Promotions for one fight. Thus he was able to fight in the United States for the first time.
He won over Ernie Marquez by a third round TKO at the Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, California. Marquez went down two times in the second and third round with Maraon's punches to the body causing the American boxer nicknamed "Gladiator" to drop to the canvas and prompting referee Lou Moret to stop the bout at 1:05 of round three.
Payano boasted that he can dominate his Filipino rival come fight night. "My style is similar to Manny Pacquiao that is why I'm 'Baby Pacquiao.' But I feel I'm a little bit organized with my punches, have better technique and better fighting ability," said Payano as quoted by boxingnews24.com.
He also praised his foe. "I think Maraon is a great fighter. He's very strong and technically very sound." But he considered himself as the better fighter. "But I feel that he's a one-way fighter always looking for a knockout. He hasn't really fought my caliber, so the knockouts have come easy. I consider myself a great fighter as well, it will be two good fighters facing each other on the June 14th, and I'll be prepared."
"He's quick and fast. He's strong, Jundy doesn't hit like a bantam. He hits hard," said trainer Donaire, Sr. "I watched the video of Payano. He's good but doesn't have the punching power like Jundy. I think this is going to be a good fight. Payano is not just like any opponent. He's a good fighter too."
Jundy's father was a barangay captain in Sominot but traced his roots from Macrohon, Southern Leyte, the adjacent town of Maasin City. He was a relative of my wife Maria Chona Maraon-Samaco. The people of Macrohon and Southern Leyte and the whole country wishes Jundy all the luck and blessings in his path to the world title.
Photo: Jundy Maraon (L) trains with Nonito Donaire Sr.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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