Juan Carlos Payano (17-0, 8 KOs) defeated Rau’shee Warren (13-1, 4 KOs) by 12-round split decision in the debut of PBC: The Next Round on Bounce TV.
Further televised action featured the first round of a four-man super welterweight tournament. In the first bout John Jackson (20-2, 15 KOs) won a 10-round unanimous decision over Dennis Laurente (49-6, 30 KOs).
The second televised bout featured a hard-hitting scrap that saw Jorge Cota Lugo (25-1, 22 KOs) defeat Yudel Jhonson (17-2, 9 KOs) by a 10-round unanimous decision.
Jackson and Cota Lugo will now meet at a later date.
Here is what the fighters had to say Sunday following their bouts:
JUAN CARLOS PAYANO
“I feel strong. Every now and then he hit me with something that affected me, but I feel good.
“All of the cuts on my face are from headbutts.
“Warren is one of the best in this division, but there are lots of other good fighters in this division. I’ll fight any of them.
“I think the decision was fair.
“I don’t think we’ll do a rematch with Warren next, but my manager will decide.”
RAU’SHEE WARREN
“The one judge had it heavily for me, so I don’t know what was up with the others. I think the point deductions really hurt me. (Payano) said I hit him while he was down and it cost me.
“He was strong in the first four or five rounds, but then I figured him out.
“I want a rematch. I’ll be back strong.”
YUDEL JHONSON
“I’ve been boxing a long time. This may be my strongest fight yet though. I’ve never been hit that hard, so I was happy to go the distance.
“I was very ready for this fight, which was a good thing. I didn’t get knocked down as much as I could have been.
“I want to thank PBC and Al Haymon for this opportunity. This was a big test and I was ready. It was an excellent fight against a great Mexican fighter. I feel like a fight like tonight qualifies me to face anyone.
“I’m ready for anyone they want to put in front of me next. I just need another chance to prove myself.”
JORGE COTA LUGO
“When I was in the dogfight, I was just thinking about winning so that I can continue to support my family.
“My team told me to step it up midway through the fight and I listened to them. I was a little uncomfortable with all the holding and twisting, but we knew his style and were ready for him.
“This opportunity on PBC on Bounce TV only motivates me more. Half way through the fight I hurt my (left) hand, but I knew I had to get through it and my corner helped me.
“I haven’t seen (John) Jackson fight actually. I was only focused on my fight tonight. I hear he’s a strong fighter though, and now I can start preparing for him.”
JOHN JACKSON
“I was trying to listen to the corner’s advice. When I knocked him down in the third round I had been hearing my corner tell me to throw the uppercut. So I caught him on the chin with one and he went down.
“Going in to my fights everyone expects the knockout. If it comes it comes, but I really just want the win.
“I want to thank God and Al Haymon for being on Bounce TV. This is great exposure. After my loss against (Andy) Lee I want to continue to show people that I’m a more mature, composed fighter.
“For my next opponent, I know Yudel (Jhonson) from the amateurs, but I’d also like to face Jorge Cota Lugo.
“I’ll take a week or two off now. My brother fights soon and I’ll head straight into camp with him as soon as he’s ready after his fight. It won’t be a long rest.”
DENNIS LAURENTE
“I trained very hard so that when I got knocked down I would be able to recover easily.
“I think it was the right decision.
“I don’t know who comes next because I still have to defend my Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) junior middleweight crown.
“I’m sorry that I couldn’t win this one for my fans but I’ll be back.”
