Juan Carlos Payano: record, next fight and profile →
Juan Carlos Payano didn't get to experience much ring time during a near two-year stay as bantamweight champion. His quest for a second title reign will begin with attempting to right a past wrong as he seeks a greater rate of activity than has been the case in recent years.
The pinnacle of Juan Carlos Payano’s career was followed by a miserable two-year stretch plagued by inactivity, injuries and – eventually – his first career loss. Determined to learn from past mistakes, the former bantamweight champion is eager to get right back to work to prevent history from repeating itself.
Premier Boxing Champions on NBC from UIC Pavilion in Chicago - The opening bout of the night saw Rau'shee Warren (14-1, 4 KOs) earn a bantamweight world championship as he defeated Juan Carlos Payano (17-1, 8 KOs) in a rematch of their August 2015 world title bout.
UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois - In a showdown for the IBO/WBA bantamweight world titles, three-time Olympian Rau'shee Warren (14-1, 4KOs) made good on his dream to capture a world title with a twelve round majority decision over previously unbeaten Juan Carlos Payano (17-1, 8KOs). The scores were 114-114, 115-113, 115-113.
While it isn’t the official main event, for serious fight fans the bantamweight title rematch beneath the light heavyweight bout between Andrzej Fonfara and Joe Smith (NBC, 8:30 PM EST/5:30 PM PST) might be the best reason to tune in.
By Jake Donovan - If you ask around at Caicedo Sports Gym in Miami, most of the athletes there will tell you the moment they most dread is when Juan Carlos Payano feels like they’re not pushing themselves to the limit. Unofficially dubbed “The General” by his gym mates, Payano has no problem taking charge in the...
Fonfara vs. Smith weighin photos - Andrzej Fonfara and Joe Smith Jr. are all set to headline Saturday's edition of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC live in primetime (Saturday, 8:30pm ET/7:30pm local time) from UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois.
Andrzej Fonfara and Joe Smith Jr. are all set to headline Saturday's edition of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on NBC live in primetime (Saturday, 8:30pm ET/7:30pm local time) from UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois. Both fighters made weight for their scheduled 12-round light heavyweight battle. Fonfara checked in at 174.5 lbs., while Smith Jr. was a fit and trim 173 lbs.
By Cliff Rold - Perhaps we can consider the current bantamweight scene as the ‘player to be named later.’ In team sports, the phrase represents the end of a trade. In boxing, it could apply to a division that could be running hot just over the horizon. Bantamweight had some good fights in 2015. The two longest running powers...
CHICAGO - Light heavyweights star Andrzej Fonfara and hard-hitting Joe Smith Jr. went face-to-face for the first time Thursday at the final press conference before they enter the ring Saturday, June 18 on Premier Boxing Champions on NBC from UIC Pavilion in Chicago.