Juan Carlos Payano: record, next fight and profile →
In an exclusive interview, Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue breaks down his incredible WBSS journey which saw him winning the Muhammad Ali Trophy and unifying the IBF & WBA titles after wins over Juan Carlos Payano, Emmanuel Rodriguez & Nonito Donaire.
As a former champion who literally lives in the gym, Juan Carlos Payano isn’t worried about staying ready for whenever he is able to resume with his boxing career. Like everyone in the sport, however, he naturally wonders when that day will come.
Inoue (18-0, 16KOs) and Fil-Am superstar Donaire collide in the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) bantamweight finale this Thursday in Saitama, Japan (DAZN-USA 5:00am ET/Sky Sports 12:05pm GMT/Fuji TV 7:57pm JST), though the finalists have taken vastly different paths in arriving at that destination.
MGM Grand, Las Vegas - The opening pay-per-view bout saw undefeated former champion Luis Nery (30-0, 24 KOs) deliver a ninth-round knockout of former bantamweight champion Juan Carlos Payano (21-3, 9 KOs). "I wasn't really paying attention to how long the fight was going, I was just getting into a rhythm as it went on," said Nery. "I had to work hard to get to him because he's a good boxer. The longer it went, the better I felt. I put my punches together well once I got going."
MGM Grand, Las Vegas - Former world bantamweight champion Luis Nery (30-0, 24 KOs) broke down and knocked out Juan Carlos Payano (21-3, 9 KOs) in the ninth round.
Luis Nery, Juan Carlos Payano - Eight-division champion Manny "PacMan" Pacquiao and unbeaten welterweight world champion Keith "One Time" Thurman went face-to-face at the official weigh-in before their blockbuster showdown that headlines the Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View this Saturday night from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (photos by Stephanie Trapp, Fox Sports)
LAS VEGAS – The size advantage Keith Thurman thinks will serve him well Saturday night was on full display Friday afternoon. The taller Thurman looked down at Pacquiao as they stood face-to-face following their weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Thurman and Pacquiao were the same weight moments earlier, however, when they stepped on the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s scale.
Luis Nery, Juan Carlos Payano Final Press Conference Photos Gallery - Eight-division champion Manny "PacMan" Pacquiao and unbeaten welterweight world champion Keith "One Time" Thurman went face-to-face Wednesday at the final press conference before their blockbuster showdown that headlines the Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports Pay-Per-View this Saturday night from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (photos by Stephanie Trapp, Fox Sports)
Mexico's Luis Nery does not intend to move up to super bantamweight until after winning all of the belts in the bantamweight division, and that is why he hopes to demonstrate his quality this July 20 in Las Vegas against Juan Carlos Payano. And then he wants to start collecting championships from fighters like Zolani Tete, Naoya Inoue, Nordine Oubaali and whoever appears.
Juan Carlos Payano knew his night was over the moment Naoya Inoue crashed home a right hand flush on his chin in their World Boxing Super Series quarterfinals last October. He also sensed many would believe his career to be through as well, which in an odd way would finally make it easier to land more meaningful fights.