Boxing: Albuquerque's Moreu Jr. signs with group headed by former champion

Almost 10 months after his last amateur bout, Albuquerque’s Yoruba Moreu Jr. has taken what he and his father believe is a major step toward a successful pro boxing career.

Moreu has signed a contract with a group headed by former world champion Tevin Farmer.

Yoruba Moreu Sr., his son’s trainer, said he’s been approached by several interested in signing the younger Moreu. This, he said, was the most promising offer.

“Tevin and his manager are forming a new advisory/management group,” the elder Moreu said. “They told us if we signed with them what they’ll do is, if we give them at least 180 days, they’ll sign my son to a major promoter.

“If they can’t do it in 180 days then we can go our separate ways. Of all the contracts we had, that was like the best deal.”

Moreu Jr. came to Farmer’s attention when both were training in Colorado Springs. The former IBF super featherweight champion was impressed enough to make the 19-year-old Albuquerque fighter a sparring partner in preparation for Farmer’s March 29 bout against William Cepeda Segura in Cancun, Mexico.

All three fighters involved — Farmer, Cepeda and Moreu Jr. — are southpaws.

Farmer, put on the phone with the Journal by Moreu Sr. on Saturday, said the younger Moreu has been impressive.

“The first day I sparred with him I already knew … he’s got a bright future, for sure,” Farmer said. “My other sparring partner (Ireland’s Jono Carroll) had to leave because he has a fight next week. Now Ru will be my main sparring partner. He’s done a lot since he’s been here. Every (session) he gets better and better.”

Contract aside, Moreu Jr. said, the work with Farmer has had major benefits.

“This is crazy, since I’ve been watching Farmer since I was a young kid,” Moreu Jr. said. “Watching his slick moves, being a southpaw, learning … all the tricks of the trade. It’s a blessing.”

Moreu Jr. left the amateur ranks with a 34-17 record, fighting at the highest levels of USA Boxing and Golden Gloves competition, as listed on boxrec.com.

He won a silver medal last March at the USA Boxing National Open at the Albuquerque Convention Center.