Boxing: Moreu Jr. signs with manager Maes

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Albuquerque’s Yoruba Moreu and his son, featherweight boxer Yoruba Moreu Jr., have reached a contractual agreement with veteran manager and fellow New Mexican Jacob Maes.

Moreu Jr., among the most successful New Mexico amateurs of recent years, is preparing to launch his pro career at age 20. Maes in the past has managed the careers of New Mexicans Elco Garcia and Archie Ray Marquez, as well as that of the Philippines’ Ranee Ganoy while Ganoy was living in Albuquerque.

He’d been on hiatus, attending to his Placitas utility, construction and water systems business as well as personal matters, for some five years before signing Albuquerque lightweight Andres Rey (5-0) earlier this year.

Maes said in a phone interview that he’s beyond excited to start working with Moreu Jr.

“I just feel honored and blessed, and I’m looking forward to guiding who I think has the best potential (among New Mexico prospects) since Danny Romero.”

Romero, a power puncher from the North Valley, won world titles at 112 and 115 pounds.

Moreu Sr. said he and his son were planning to go with a New Jersey management group that included former IBF junior lightweight champion Tevin Farmer. But when the New Jersey group sought to amend the contract in a way that made the Moreus uncomfortable, they turned to Maes.

“We’ve known Jacob for a while,” the elder Moreu said. “… He was interested in my daughter (Sharahya, also a boxer) and my son. And my son was like, ‘You know what, I don’t want to deal with any out-of-state managers anymore.”

Ultimately, Moreu Sr. said, it was Yoruba Jr.’s decision to go with Maes: “He felt comfortable being with somebody that he’s known since he was a kid.”

Maes, Moreu Sr. said, “has a good track record. … He’s done an amazing job with (Rey).”

Rey is 2-0 since signing with Maes and is scheduled to fight on a July 14 card in El Paso, featuring Albuquerque’s Abraham Perez in the main event.

Moreu Jr., yet another of New Mexico’s fighting southpaws (Holly Holm, Austin Trout, Fidel Maldonado Jr., Elija Martinez, et al), has been competing as an amateur for the better part of a decade. He earned a silver medal at the 2024 USA Boxing National Open at the Albuquerque Convention Center. His father, and Maes as well, believe the younger Moreu’s style is better suited to the pros than the amateurs.

Terms of the contract were not revealed by either party, but Moreu Sr. said his son would be able to train full time while preparing for his first professional bout.

Maes said nothing is scheduled at this point but that he expects to get Moreu Jr. in the ring as soon as possible.

HAN SIGNS: El Paso’s Stephanie Han (10-0, three KOs), the WBA lightweight champion, has signed with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions — the firm that’s staging the June 28 bout between Albuquerque’s Holm (33-2-3, nine KOs) and Mexico’s Yolanda Vega (10-0, one KO) in Anaheim, California. Holm is returning to boxing after a 12-year absence while focusing on MMA.

Han is trained by Las Cruces’ Louie Burke, as were her brother, Abie, and her sister, Jennifer, both retired.

In announcing Han’s signing on Monday, MVP also teased a possible title defense for her against Brazil’s Beatriz Ferreira (7-0, two KOs), the IBF lightweight champion. But Han also presents a possible opportunity for Holm, should she defeat Vega.

HALL OF FAMERS: Holm was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2022.

Earlier this month, her two toughest boxing opponents — Frances’ Anne Sophie Mathis and Detroit’s Mary Jo Sanders — joined her.

Holm went 1-1 against Mathis, suffering a devastating loss by knockout in their first bout but winning the second by unanimous decision. Both fights took place at Route 66 Casino Hotel.

The Albuquerque southpaw went 1-0-1 against Sanders, the daughter of former Detroit Lions tight end Charlie Sanders — winning by unanimous decision at Isleta Resort & Casino, then fighting to a draw at the Palace at Auburn Hills on Sanders’ home turf.

Mathis, arguably the most powerful puncher in women’s boxing history, last fought in 2016. She finished with a record of 27-4-1 with 23 knockouts.

Sanders (25-1-1, nine KOs) never fought again after the draw against Holm in October 2008.