Payano seeks second success in Warren rematch, Lubin collides with Sandoval

Lee Gormley | June 17, 2016

Juan Carlos Payano v Rau’shee Warren

Payano out to punish Warren in rematch

WBA Super and IBO bantamweight champion Juan Carlos Payano puts his titles on the line against challenger Rau’shee Warren this weekend in an awaited rematch, 10 months after earning a successful split decision victory in Florida.

This time out at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois, undefeated champion Payano (17-0 8 KOs) will look to put his rivalry with Warren (13-1, 4 KOs) to rest and prove he is the dominant force at 118 pounds with a strong defence of his crowns.

The Dominican Republic southpaw overcame Panama fighter Anselmo Moreno with a technical decision victory in 2014 to clinch the WBA Super strap, before adding the vacant IBO belt when outpointing Warren last year, and he is evens with Coral to reign supreme again in their rematch.

Confident champion seeks second success

After a points win in their initial meeting, the former Central American and Caribbean Games Gold medallist is confident of enjoying another solid showing in the early hours of Sunday morning, as he prepares to go for war.

“I had a great training camp and everyone will see the improvements I’ve made since I fought Warren in August,” stated unbeaten Payano, who is 20/1 to be involved in a draw. “Once I settle in Chicago, I’ll be well rested and right on weight.

“I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on my strengths and weaknesses. I’ve put in a lot of work during this training camp, to better myself and I feel I’m at the top of my game right now.

“I’m going to leave everything in the ring on Saturday night. I have the blueprint to beat Warren. I’ll be ready for war. There is no doubt in my mind that my hands will be raised in victory once again. Warren is in trouble.”

Warren enters rematch with huge grudge

The 32-year-old bantamweight champion will aim to continue his flawless run in the professional ranks when contesting his familiar challenger, though Ohio-born southpaw Warren is 5/6 to avenge his previous loss and prevail in this anticipated rematch.

Warren will enter the 118lbs title fight carrying a huge grudge, with the 29-year-old still adamant he edged the initial meeting, in which he produced a final-round knockdown but earlier had two points deducted in the ninth.

“I’ve watched the fight more than 20 times,” Warren said. “After six rounds, I started roughing him up like he was doing me with all that holding and rabbit punching. He started faking things and looking for reasons to get out of the fight.

“Payano’s family sat near my family, and I saw his wife didn’t think he won. When your husband wins, you’re up smiling and clapping. But she had a cold face and wasn’t happy because she knew he didn’t win.”

The former amateur world champion will seek to right his previous wrongs this weekend, while Payano is hoping to enjoy a second successive triumph and put any doubts over the initial performance to rest in Illinois.

Lubin and Sandoval scrap on undercard

On the undercard, rising American star Erickson Lubin will battle it out with fellow prospect Daniel Sandoval in a clash between promising welterweights.

It’s the latter Mexican that is a 6/1 outsider to emerge victorious, while Florida fighter Lubin is odds-on 1/12 favourite.

As well as that match-up, Andrzej Fonfara and Joe Smith Jr will also go toe-to-toe, with the latter New Yorker being 10/1 to triumph and his opponent the overwhelming odds-on 1/33 front runner to defend his WBC international light-heavyweight title.

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Coral’s top tip: Back Juan Carlos Payano to overcome Rau’shee Warren once again in their awaited rematch at evens.