Jorge Adolfo Páez (born October 27, 1965) is a Mexican actor, circus performer, religious preacher and former professional boxer. In boxing he held the WBO and IBF world featherweight titles.
Páez's nickname of "El Maromero" is in honor of the somersault (referred to in Spanish as "maroma") acts he performs at the circus. It was in the circus that he learned acrobatic moves he would later use in the boxing ring. Paez had been a circus performer in his northwest Mexico hometown since he was very young.
Early Boxing Career
Jorge started boxing in San Luis Río Colorado. From there on, he built a string of wins that led him to challenge IBF featherweight champion Calvin Grove in boxing's last 15 round world title fight.
IBF Featherweight Champion
Paez was trailing on all three scorecards, but dropped the champion three times in the last round. The knockdowns provided an edge on the scorecards, making Paez IBF featherweight champion by a unanimous decision.
Title Defense and Moving Up in Weight
Paez then vacated his titles and moved up in weight, only to lose to IBF super featherweight champion Tony Lopez.
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Later Career Fights
On November 6, 1992, Paez fought against future world champion Rafael Ruelas for the NABF lightweight title, losing by TKO in the 10 round. On July 29, 1994, he was given a shot at the vacant WBO lightweight title against rising superstar Oscar De La Hoya. Paez then went up against WBA super featherweight champion Genaro Hernandez in a non-title bout, losing by TKO in the 8th round due to cuts.
Jorge Linares Beautiful Offensive Boxing Style | Breakdown
Regional Title and Further Bouts
On August 17, 1996, he won the WBC Continental Americas super featherweight regional title by knocking out Narciso Valenzuela in 3 rounds. On August 7, 1997, he lost by a knockout in eight rounds to Angel Manfredy. After three victories, Paez lost via a devastating one-punch knockout in seven rounds to Augie Sanchez in May 1999.
Health Concerns and Career Jeopardy
Paez was supposed to fight Jesús Chávez on March 29, 2003. However, it was discovered that Paez suffered from brain swelling, putting the fight with Jesús Chávez and his career in serious jeopardy.
Outside the Ring
Paez's name surfaced in the 2004 FBI investigation against promoter Bob Arum. Paez had a brief supporting role with World Wrestling Entertainment as an associate of Rey Mysterio, and accompanied him to the ring at the No Way Out pay-per-view event on February 15, 2004.
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