Jorge Adolfo Paez (born 27 October,
1965) Jorge was one of the most colorful characters of the 1980s into
the ‘90s. His flamboyant and eccentric behavior endeared him to boxing
fans during his near-20 year career that yielded two major titles
at featherweight.
Paez was born in Mexicali, Mexico, on October
27, 1965, the son of a 1950s’era boxer. When his parents separated,
he was raised by his grandmother, who owned the Circus Olvera.
“I’ve
been performing ever since I was born,” Paez told RingTV.com through
Brandon Ayala. “I was an acrobat, cyclist, a clown. I was everything.”
As
a youngster Paez fought on the streets. His grandmother gave him some
advice, “If you’re going to fight, why don’t you get paid for it?”
Paez
went up against WBA super featherweight champion Genaro Hernandez
in a non-title bout, losing by TKO in the 8th round due to cuts. On
August 17, 1996, he won the WBC Continental Americas super featherweight
regional title by knocking out Narciso Valenzuela in 3 rounds. Paez
ould then lose that title in his next match against Julian Wheeler
but regained it by beating Wheeler in the rematch.
On August
7, 1997, he lost by a knockout in eight rounds to angel Manfredy.
After three victories, Paez lost via a devastating one-punch knockout
in seven rounds to Augie Sanchez in May 1999. In his next bout in
October 1999, Paez boxed future lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo,
losing by KO in the fifth round.
Paez continued to box on over
the next few years, winning a long string of bouts against a lower
level of opposition.
Injuries and Retirement
Paez was supposed
to fight Jesus Chavez on March 29, 2003. However, it was discovered
that Paez suffered from brain swelling, putting the fight with Jesus
Chavez and his career in serious jeopardy. Despite these findings,
Paez fought on, and on December 5, 2003, in Phoenix, Arizona, he defeated
Scott McCraken by a ten-round spit decision in what would be Paez’s
final match.
His overall record was 79-14-5 (51 KOs).
Outside
the Ring
In 1993 he made the movie Zapatos Viejos, where he starred
alongside Goria Trevi, Playing “Ernesto”. In 1995, he made his Hollywood
acting debut in the low-budget movie Dirty Money.
Paez’s name
surfaced in the 2004 FBI investigation against promoter Bob Arum.
The FBI was investigating whether Paez’s win over Verdell Smith was
a fixed fight or not.
Paez had a brief supporting role with World
Wrestling Entertainment as an associate of Rey Mysterio, and accompanied
him to the ring at the No Way Out pay-per-view event on February 15,
2004. Paez also appeared in Mysterio’s music video for his song from
the WWE Originals album, “Crossing Border.”