June 14th ESPN Boxing Show will be telecasting championship boxing from Richard J. Codey Arena in West Orange N.J. The Main Event will feature Jundy Maroan vs. Juan Carlos Payano in a WBC Championship fight.
The co–main event features rising super bantamweight Jorge “King” Diaz 17(10)-1-0 of New Brunswick, N.J. battling Miami based Yenifel Vicente 24 (16)-1-2 for the WBC FECARBOX title in a scheduled 8 rounds. FECARBOX refers to Federacion Centroamericana de Boxeo Profesional–a Central American sanctioning body of the World Boxing Council. This fight is important to both fighters as they will be having their first high-profile fights since coming up short against strong opposition and suffering decision losses The 25 year old Diaz has rebounded from his first and only professional loss a 12 round decision loss to Teon Kennedy for the. In that loss, Diaz exhibited his determination and grit as he had been down twice but held his own and went the distance in losing by decision.
Additionally, that was Jorge Diaz’s first 12 rounder with most of his prior bouts since 2008 having been 6 rounds with the exception of one 8 and one 10 rounder. Diaz has ran up two wins since the Kennedy fight, a TKO in 3 of a scheduled 8 against tough Rafael Lora followed by a 6 round unanimous decision over Victor Sanchez at Madison Square Garden. Diaz will be looking to regain his former status as one of the hottest prospects in boxing against Vicente. The 26-year-old Vicente was world-rated before dropping a decision to Chris Avalos last August. This will be no pushover for Jorge Diaz. In the course of the interview and conversation Diaz’s effervescent personality and good natured cockiness reminded of past Puerto Rican boxing icon and legend Hector “Macho” Camacho Sr.
Q-Tell me a little about yourself
A-To tell you about myself! With me you have a few characters you have Gorgeous Jorge you have Genius Jorge, and you got King Diaz. After you get past my good looks and charm, the thing that will stand out most is my modesty (I’m just kidding). I fight with my heart. I take it personal when the bell rings as I’m a product of my environment. A lot of people think they know who I am but few actually do. I‘m a very friendly individual who has a healthy respect for myself. I understanding where that line of confident and arrogance lies. I am also a very passionate person: Easy to love and easy to be loved.
Q- What got you first involved in boxing?
A- I was living in Puerto Rico and my younger cousin Jonathan González who is a professional boxer right now he was boxing so I started going to the gym with him.
Q- What about your amateur career?
A-My amateur career was based predominantly in New Jersey New Brunswick. I started at South River at the Knights of Columbus boxing gym and I continued boxing out of there. I had 104 amateur fights including my fights in Puerto Rico I was 92 and 12. I won the national Golden gloves, the under 19 nationals. As an amateur I was just going to gyms and going to nationals by myself at the time I didn’t really have a main coach.
Q- Is it a dream come true with your career to being on television?
A- To be honest I always felt as though I would make it. I’ve always had a desire to entertain and show people what I can do. I ask that you watch a fight (or two) of mine and come to my fights to support me. I promise that I will give you nothing less than 100%,
Q- How did your first loss to Teon Kennedy affect you? What could you have done differently?
A- I never lose I always win even in defeat. This fight that I did not win, definitely gave me a whole new perspective on the sport of boxing. It was what I needed. The problem was I fought that fight as a six round fight when it was for 12 rounds. There is always a lesson to be learned. So it evened it up for me.
Q- You’ve been a pro since 2007 averaging 4 fights a year as you moved up the ranks. But after the Kennedy fight you haven’t been as active. Why?
A-I had past promotional difference which are now resolved
Q- Of your wins is there any one that was most gratifying?
A- That Cuban gold medalist Yan Barthelemy I didn’t know that he was a gold medalist until they announced it in the ring. I knocked him out cold. I put him to sleep! Afterward the Commission inspected my gloves for NyQuil.
Q- What do you know about your opponent Yenifel Vicente?
A- I know that he is a very tough opponent he is coming to fight and put a lot of pressure. They call him the “Dominican Bull”, so you can call me the Puerto Rican Matador that night. I’m going to try and jump in the shower and not get wet, but I know that once I feel that water I’m going to make it pour. He’s going to be there to take a shot and to fight. It’s going to be an entertaining fight it’s going to be a reaction type fight I believe.
Q-There is a lot riding on June 14th’s fight. Have you prepared in any special way for this bout?
A-No, not that different even though I been inactive out of the ring I have stayed active in the gym. So I haven’t lost a step at all I have actually gotten better in what I do. And I am looking forward to is showcasing the things that I have been working on. Hopefully, I will be able to do what I want to do. I know that I’m going to win. But I want to win the way I have it planned in my head. Looking like a professional fighter out there jazzy, moving around, and showing ring generalmanship.
Q-Open mike, anything you want to say to the public-your family, friends, or fans
A-I want to thank everybody for all of the support. I‘ve been very fortunate to have met some great people in my life and now those people are my good friends. I want to send a special thank you to Cooper Krajewski for helping me out making things possible. Also to my back bone Grethel Guevara for always being there and being so supportive. Finally to Vito Mielniki for having such an enthusiastic desire to want to help me. I really appreciate it. Thank you
Presented by Greg Cohen Promotions and GH3 Promotions in association with Acquinity Sports and First Round Promotions. In the 12-round main event, undefeated Philippine knockout artist Jundy Maraon (15-0-1, 12 KOs) taking on undefeated NABA and WBA Fedelatin Bantamweight Champion, Juan Carlos Payano (13-0, 7 KOs) of the Dominican Republic in a WBA Title Eliminator.
Of the other fights on the undercard will be:
Middleweight prospect Antoine “Action” Douglas vs. Ibahiem King in a bout scheduled for six rounds.
Light Heavyweight Lavarn Harvell vs. Paul Vasquez -six rounds
Welterweights Anthony Young vs. Xavier Burgos -six rounds
Lightweights Rickey Edwards vs. Larry Yanez -four rounds
Welterweights Shakur Jackson vs. Michael Pickett -four rounds
Tickets are priced at $35, $50, $75, and $100 Ringside (Rows 1-2). VIP Tables for 10 are also available that include dinner. To purchase, please call 888.612.4191. On fight night, doors open at 6:00 pm and the action starts at 7:30. The Richard J. Codey Arena at South Mountain is located at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange, New Jersey.