By Ian S Palmer
WBA Super World Bantamweight Champion Anselmo Moreno Of Panama returns to the ring this Friday, September 26 when he takes unbeaten Juan Carlos Payano of the Dominican Republic at the Mesquite Arena in Mesquite, Texas. Moreno’s last outing was a unanimous decision over Javier Nicolas Chacon back in March. It was Chacon’s first loss after seven straight wins. This will be Moreno’s 13th title defense of the belt he won back in May of 2008 when he beat Volodymyr Sydorenko by split decision.
The 29-year-old Moreno will be entering the ring with an impressive mark of 35-2-1 along with 12 Kos while the 30-year-old Payano has a perfect record of 15-8 with eight Kos to his name. Moreno’s last loss came back in November of 2012 when he was beaten via a unanimous decision by then WBC Junior Featherweight king Abner Mares. This is his third fight since and he says he’s raring to go against Payano. Moreno’s only other loss came in 2002 when he was beaten by Ricardo Molina by a split decision. Moreno avenged that loss though by beating Moreno by a ninth-round knockout in January of 2005. He then won their rubber match seven months later when he beat Moreno for a second time, this time by a unanimous decision.
Payano comes into the fight with three knockout wins in his last five outings. However, his last bout, which was against German Meraz in February, went the distance and he took it by a unanimous decision. Moreno is just over five-feet-six-inches tall with a 69.5-inch reach while Payono stands five-feet-five-inches with a 64.5-inch reach. This will be a step up in class for Payono as he hasn’t really fought anybody of note since turning pro back in 2010.
Moreno, who’s a southpaw by the way, turned pro in 2002 and certainly has the edge in experience and opposition. He’s met some good fighters along the way such as Mares, Vic Darchinyan, Felix Machado, Ricardo Vargas, and William Urina. Moreno doesn’t really have considerable power and neither does Payono. But in reality there aren’t many bantamweights that do. They both have good boxing skills and fans may know Payano from his amateur days since he fought in two Olympic Games for his homeland. He also won two silver medals at Pan American Game tournaments.
This is Payano’s first shot at a world title and it’s something he wants to take advantage of. He said he knows that he’s in for a tough test since he regards Moreno as a great champion and he’s proud to be fighting him. He claimed that he doesn’t mind fighting in the USA since a world champion has to be able to compete and win anywhere. He added that Moreno’s also fighting on the road as Texas is neutral ground for both of them.
Prediction
This is one of the better matchups around right now in the 118 lb weight division. Moreno has been champion for several years now and that’s not by accident. However, he’s going up against an excellent boxer here in Payano who matches him in just about every department other than experience and quality of opposition. This should be a pretty good boxing match between two speedy boxers. Look for it to go the distance with Moreno hanging onto the crown by a close decision.
