Jorge Adolfo Paez (born October 27, 1965) is a Mexican actor circus performer and former professional boxer. In boxing he held the WBO and IBF featherweight titles. Paez'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 is also the father of Azriel Paez, Jorge Paez Jr., and Airam Paez.

Personal life

Paez has been a circus performer in his northwest Mexico hometown since he was very young. Jorge started boxing in San Luis Rio Colorado. He is also the father of welterweight prospect Azriel Paez and WBC Youth Intercontinental welterweight champion Jorge Paez Jr.

Professional career

Early years

Paez began boxing professionally on November 16, 1984, knocking out Efren Treno in three rounds.

Featherweight champion

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. 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. He defended the title eight times, including a knockout in 11 against Grove in a rematch, a stoppage win former world champion Stevie Cruz and a spit decision against future world champion Troy Dorsey.

He then won the WBO featherweight title in a unification bout against Louie Espinoza (in a rematch of their 1989 fight that ended in a draw) by split decision.

Paez then vacated his titles and moved up in weight, only to lose to IBF super featherweight champion Tony Lopez. Paez continued to fight, but he had mixed results versus former world champions Lupe Suarez and Tracy Spann; he and Suarez drew in 10 rounds, and he beat Spann by a 10 round decision.

Lightweight

On October 10, 1991, Paez moved up to lightweight and fought against Pernell Whitaker for the WBC, WBA and IBF lightweight titles but lost by unanimous decision.

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 17, 1993, he lost to Freddie Pendleton by a decision in twelve for the IBF lightweight title.

On July 29, 1994, he was given a shot at the vacant WBO lightweight title against rising superstar Oscar De La Hoya. Paez lost by a knockout in round two.