Payano already on weight for ESPN FNF

Picture by Rey Sanchez / Acquinity Sports

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (June 11, 2013) — Undefeated Dominican bantamweight Juan Carlos Payano (13-0, 7 KOs) and his coach, German Caicedo, report that the slick southpaw is on weight at 118 pounds for this weekend’s ESPN Friday Night Fights showdown against unbeaten Philippine invader Jundy “Pretty Boy” Maraon (15-0-1, 12 KOs).

“We got down to weight ahead of schedule,” Caicedo said.  “Payano will work to stay on weight for Thursday’s official weigh in and be strong Friday night for his fight.”

Payano, ranked No. 5 in the World Boxing Association (WBA), faces Maraon in a 12-round main event and WBA title eliminator, presented by Greg Cohen Promotions in association with Acquinity Sports, at South Mountain Arena in South Orange, New Jersey.  The winner will be positioned for a world title shot against WBA bantamweight champion Koki Kamda.

In the co-feature, Caicedo-trained featherweight Yenifiel Vicente (24-1-2, 16 KOs) faces Jorge Diaz (17-1, 10 KOs) in an eight-round match.

Scheduled to fight on the undercard in six-round bouts are Antoine Ibahiem vs. Douglas King and Vazquez Paul vs. Harvel Lvarn, as well as Anthony Young vs. TBA, Marshall Moses vs. Rickey Edwards, Anthony Prescott vs. Anthony Gangemi, and Shakur Jackson vs. Michael Pickett in four-round matches.

Payano and Vicente leave tomorrow for New Jersey along with their head coaches, Caicedo and “Irish” Micky Ward, and assistant Claudio Lamont.

Payano is the reigning NABA and WBA Fedelatin bantamweight, while Maraon is a former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific bantamweight champion.