Jorge Paez, Jr.: Another Set of “Big Shoes” to Fill.

Translated from Spanish to English by Sergio Martinez.

“I was there as a kid when my dad won a world title and remember that I also wanted to be a world champion. I will prove that I can fight and am working very hard to be the best fighter possible.”–Jorge Paez, Jr. is setting out to create a boxing legacy of his own.

On August 12, 2005, live from the Laredo Entertainment Center in Laredo, Texas, Jorge “El Maromerito/El Raton” Paez, Jr. (2-0-0, 2 KOs) will make his United States professional boxing debut on Telefutura’s “Solo Boxeo” boxing series. Paez, Jr. is the son of the legendary former featherweight champion Jorge “El Maromero” Paez, best remembered as a tenacious and gutsy Mexican warrior whose bizarre ring outfits, outlandish hairstyles, and extreme ring antics, electrified audiences around the world. Although seen mostly as a wild man, there was a method to “El Maromero’s” madness. He was a highly skilled technician who could box as effectively as he could brawl. Paez possessed solid hand-speed, was heavy-handed, and had a very awkward style that would always keep opponents guessing. All of the “Paez” potential and talent seems to have been passed on to his son. “When people see me fight, they tell me that I can box beautifully, and those same people tell me that I’m a warrior and can really punch. I really can adapt to anyone and any style. I’m a southpaw, but can also fight orthodox equally effective. I’m very talented and have a lot of amateur experience. I had over eighty (amateur) fights, and trained with the Mexican Olympic Team. I’m still very young. I have a lot of time to develop and learn the professional side of the sport correctly. I am taking it one step at a time and am really listening to my trainers and the team around me as they are there for my best interest,” said Jorge Paez, Jr. to this writer after today’s press conference in Laredo, Texas.

Being a professional pugilist is daunting enough, add in the pressure of having immense expectation because of who your father is, and most young men crack under that kind of stress. In Mexico, “El Maromero” is a legend and celebrity. He thrilled Mexican fans and earned their respect by showing his warrior heart in the squared circle. Paez, Jr., although well aware of his father’s accomplishments and the expectation of the Mexican people, seems to be comfortable with himself. “I know that there are a lot of people that have expectations because of my father and what he did. It is great that he is my father and I’m proud of what he did. I am my own man and work very hard. I was there as a kid when my dad won a world title and remember that I also wanted to be a world champion. I will prove that I can fight and am working very hard to be the best fighter possible. I am going to give a great performance and show what I can do. This is my first of many fights in America. I’m ready.”

So fight fans, tune in to Telefutura this Friday night as yet another one of boxing’s legacies will continue. Mexican fans cannot only tell their children about how they used to see Jorge “Maromero” Paez fight, but should he reach all of his potential and talent, those very children will have their own version of “Maromero” to talk about to their children. Such is life, and boxing is life.

Contact Sergio Martinez at srg_mrtnz@yahoo.com